An Elixir for Emotional and Relational Well-Being
In a society where stress, anxiety, and loneliness weigh on our emotional balance, a solution as simple as it is effective is often within reach: volunteering. Engaging in service to others benefits not only those who receive help, but it is also a powerful tool to enhance our own well-being. By cultivating empathy, creating social connections, and giving a deeper meaning to our lives, volunteering becomes a valuable source of personal fulfillment and emotional satisfaction.
But how can we explain this positive effect on our well-being? Why does helping others make us feel better, too? Let’s explore the psychological, physiological, and relational benefits of volunteering and well-being.
1- Volunteering and well-being: A Driver of Personal Fulfillment
A Sense of Purpose
The need to feel useful is deeply ingrained in us. When we dedicate time to others, we have the sense that we are contributing to something larger than ourselves. This commitment nurtures our self-esteem and gives us a deep sense of satisfaction. According to several studies in positive psychology, individuals engaged in regular volunteer activities perceive their lives as more fulfilling and meaningful.
An Antidote to Loneliness and Depression
Volunteering helps create connections with people who share similar values. By helping others, we break isolation and strengthen our sense of belonging to a community. Furthermore, research shows that people who give their time to others are less likely to suffer from depression. By focusing on the needs of others, we divert our attention from our own troubles, allowing us to gain perspective and adopt a more positive view of life.
A Surge of Happiness Through Well-Being Hormones
When we do good for others, our brain releases a cascade of hormones associated with happiness. The altruistic act triggers the production of endorphins, those famous pleasure hormones, creating a genuine state of well-being. This phenomenon is sometimes called the “helper’s high.” Moreover, helping stimulates the secretion of oxytocin, the bonding and trust hormone, thereby strengthening our ability to form strong and genuine relationships.
2- The Impact of Volunteering on Human Relationships
Creating Bonds and Strengthening Social Cohesion
In an increasingly digitized world, human interactions can sometimes be rare and superficial. Volunteering allows us to reconnect authentically with others. By engaging in a cause, we meet people from diverse backgrounds, with whom we share enriching and formative experiences.
Developing Empathy and Understanding of Others
Serving others promotes the development of empathy. Facing the realities of others, sometimes difficult ones, helps us better understand human emotions and suffering. This ability to put ourselves in others’ shoes improves our emotional intelligence and makes us more tolerant and compassionate in our everyday relationships.
Strengthening Social and Professional Skills
Volunteering is also an opportunity to acquire valuable interpersonal skills. Learning to listen, cooperate, and adapt to various environments are assets that extend into the professional realm. Many companies today value volunteer experience as a sign of commitment, leadership, and adaptability.
3- Scientifically Proven Benefits for Mental and Physical Health
A Protective Effect Against Stress and Anxiety
Getting involved in a cause that matters to us provides a sense of control over our environment and reduces stress. Studies have shown that regular volunteers have lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) than average, promoting a sense of mental calm.
Increased Longevity and Better Physical Health
The benefits of volunteering extend beyond the psychological sphere. Many studies have highlighted that people involved in volunteer activities tend to live longer and in better health. According to a study published in Health Psychology, regular volunteers have a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and enjoy a more robust immune system.
A Virtuous Circle of Well-Being
Helping others improves our well-being, which encourages us to continue our engagement. The more we give, the more pleasure we feel in doing so, creating a virtuous circle where altruism nurtures our happiness and health.
4- How to Start Volunteering and Reap the Maximum Benefits?
Choose a Cause You’re Passionate About
Engagement should be a source of joy, not a burden. Therefore, it is essential to choose a mission that inspires you: helping the homeless, tutoring, animal protection, environmental causes, supporting the elderly… What matters is finding meaning and motivation in it.
Set Aside Time and Respect Your Limits
Volunteering does not mean sacrificing yourself. It is important to find a balance between your commitment and your own needs. Even a moderate involvement, just a few hours a month, is enough to feel the benefits.
Be Aware of the Benefits You Are Gaining
While practicing volunteering, it is helpful to take a step back and observe the positive impact this experience has on your well-being. Keeping a gratitude journal or simply noting your feelings can help measure the evolution of your emotional state.
Conclusion: Volunteering and well-being, a Key to Lasting Happiness
Engaging in service for others is not just a simple altruistic gesture; it is also a powerful driver of personal well-being. Volunteering acts as a natural remedy against stress, loneliness, and discomfort by reconnecting us to others and ourselves. It gives a deeper sense to our existence and allows us to cultivate essential values such as empathy, kindness, and solidarity.
Whether for an environmental, social, or humanitarian cause, every little gesture counts. And if happiness could be found in the art of giving?
Source :
- Harvard Health – Volunteering and health benefits – lien
- American Psychological Association – How helping others benefits you – lien
- Psychology Today – The science of altruism – lien
- National Institutes of Health – Volunteering and longevity – lien
- The Guardian – Why volunteering makes us happier – lien
