#MiddleburyCT #MLT #Volunteering
The Middlebury Parks & Rec department provided volunteers at its Earth Day clean-up the top tee shirt while the Middlebury Land Trust provided volunteers in its trail work and invasive plant removal with the bottom tee shirt. Volunteer work improves one’s mental health while benefiting the community. (Janine Sullivan-Wiley photo)
By JANINE SULLIVAN-WILEY
A new year is starting, and many people are making resolutions. A Statista study of 1,500 Americans showed the top three resolutions for 2021 were exercising more (50%), losing weight (48%) and saving more money (44%). Two out of these three target personal health. They don’t specifically mention mental health, but they should. Good mental health is a basic part of physical health.
A perhaps unexpected but very effective way to become mentally – and physically – healthier is to volunteer. The Mayo Clinic said, “Research has shown that volunteering offers many health benefits … including that it improves physical and mental health, provides a sense of purpose, teaches valuable skills, and nurtures new and existing relationships.”
How can doing extra – when we all already lead such busy lives – make us healthier rather than just more stressed? UC Berkeley’s “Greater Good” magazine (July 3, 2020) reported, “New research suggests that volunteers aren’t just helping the communities they serve. People who volunteer actually experience a boost in their mental health – good news at a time when more than a third of Americans are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression.” It noted the pandemic exacerbated loneliness and stress for many people. But that can be offset by volunteering.
“Compared to people who didn’t volunteer, people who had volunteered in the past year were more satisfied with their lives and rated their overall health as better,” the magazine said. Additionally, the researchers found that “people who volunteered more frequently experienced greater benefits: Those who volunteered at least once a month reported better mental health than participants who volunteered infrequently or not at all.” And there is definite cause and effect – “People who started to volunteer became happier over time.”
As someone who has enjoyed many different volunteer activities most of my adult life, I can testify to all of those benefits. I have been able to make a difference. I have had a lot of fun. I learned so much. I have experienced great joy. I have made wonderful friends. Being involved with organizations that are helping others, I have become happier. That volunteering thing works.
Middlebury and most communities offer many different volunteer opportunities, whether one is interested in environmental, youth, health, technology, religious or community causes. It is a way to use existing skills or develop new ones. Within the Middlebury Land Trust, for example, people have been able to utilize their financial expertise; organizational skills; interest in birds, botany or wildlife; computer skills; interest in outdoor activities such as mapping, trail work or removal of invasives; or developing leadership skills.
Churches and community organizations offer volunteers many ways of supporting adults as well as children as they learn and grow. In some community groups, volunteers help build or renovate homes for needy families.
Options for volunteers are as diverse as are interests and caring. Truly, where volunteer work is concerned, there is something for everyone. And what a great New Year’s resolution to make: volunteer to help others and become happier as a result.
Meanwhile, happy hiking! Contact this writer at jswspotlight@gmail.com. You can visit the Middlebury Land Trust on Facebook or the website at middleburylandtrust.org.
You must be logged in to post a comment.