Volunteering tends to be viewed as the ultimate selfless act – after all, you’re giving up your own time and resources to help others without receiving anything tangible in return.
But is it really as selfless as it’s cracked up to be?
A growing body of research suggests there are numerous social, physical and psychological benefits to be gained from charitable pastimes, particularly for people who are still at the beginning of their career.
Of course, most people don’t consciously set out to volunteer with personal gain in mind, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any personal benefits. Here are five selfish reasons to give up your time without any expectation of monetary reward.
1. It can keep you physically fit
A study led by the Rotman Research Institute showed that volunteering can lead to a number of positive physical outcomes such as greater happiness, better overall health, and fewer functional limitations.
Research from the University of Wales also found that people who volunteer on a regular basis tend to live longer than those who don’t – likely because they tend to be more physically active, but also because they often live a healthier lifestyle.
2. It can help ward off depression
Numerous studies have shown that when people volunteer their time, they tend to feel more socially connected, which can help to ward off loneliness and depression.
The University of Wales research also showed that volunteers had improved self-esteem and sense of purpose, which can also have a positive effect on a person’s mental health.
3. It can motivate you academically
More and more students these days are choosing to take time off from school to combine travel with volunteer work. And although parents often worry that this will get in the way of their studies, research shows that these students are actually more likely to attend university after their time off.
One study in particular found that students who took a gap year before starting their tertiary education were more motivated during their college years than those who had jumped straight into their studies after high school.
4. It can benefit your career
Volunteer experience looks good on your CV and can enhance your career prospects.
If you’ve just graduated from college, spending some time volunteering will provide you with valuable working experience and can help your resume stand out. For students, it can also be a good way to gain community service hours for university courses.
And, if you’re between jobs and the job hunt is taking longer than expected, volunteering can help prevent too many gaps from forming in your work history.
5. It can be a great way to make new connections
Research indicates that for both older and younger people, making new social connections is one of the biggest motivations to volunteer.
For younger volunteers who aren’t in their careers yet, social groups are all the more important, and volunteering gives them a way to be in a group, meet people who share similar interests, and make valuable social connections that will help them later on in life.
This guest post was written by Marianne Stenger, a writer with Open Colleges, one of Australia’s leading online education providers. She covers everything from career development to learning tips and the latest research in education. You can connect with her on Google+, Twitter, or find her latest articles on the Open Colleges website.