Volunteering can have numerous positive effects on mental wellbeing, providing not only benefits to your community but also to you. Here are five mental wellbeing benefits of volunteering. 

1. Reduced Stress and Anxiety

Engaging in volunteering activities can help reduce your stress levels. When you volunteer, your focus shifts away from your own worries and concerns, allowing you to gain a fresh perspective on life.

The act of giving back to others within your community and making a positive impact can also release endorphins and create a sense of fulfillment, which can help alleviate the feelings of stress many of us have in our day to day lives. 

2. Increased Sense of Purpose

Volunteering is a great way to gain a new sense of purpose and meaning in our lives. Knowing that our efforts are contributing to a greater cause or helping others in need can help boost self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment. 

Having a newfound clear purpose can also help improve your overall life satisfaction and mental resilience within your everyday work and home life. 

3. Social Connection and Support

Volunteering is a great social activity because it allows you to connect with other like-minded people and form new friendships. 

This social interaction is vital for your overall well being as it helps reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Volunteering within a group setting can also help foster a sense of belonging and create a support network that can be beneficial during challenging times.

4. Improved Self-Confidence

When volunteering you contribute your time and skills to a cause. While on this volunteering journey you can often encounter new challenges and opportunities for personal growth. Through these volunteering experiences your self-confidence and self-efficacy boost which can help contribute to a more positive self-image.

5. Enhanced Mental Resilience

Volunteering can help develop greater mental resilience as it exposes you to diverse situations, allowing you to adapt and cope with different challenges. 

Volunteering can also help volunteers gain a broader perspective on life's issues, which can help foster a more positive outlook and better coping mechanisms in the face of adversity.