Give Yourself Away: It’s Fun and Healthy to Volunteer

So far, in this space, I've said a lot of things are good for your health, friends, Feldenkrais and Gyrotonic to name a few. I've also mentioned the things not so good for your health or anyone else's, like driving while texting. The holidays are all about giving, but who knew altruism benefits health. The folks at Corporation for National & Community Service, a government organization that promotes community service, did when they studied the findings of over 30 studies on the subject.

Volunteering reinforces a sense of connectedness and compassion, helps with feelings of loneliness and isolation, and bolsters well being. So how exactly does helping help? Just as stress produces cortisol, which can be damaging, the opposite happens when we do good work. The brain produces oxytocin, which can offer protective benefits.

I've had all kinds of adventures as a volunteer, from making 13 dwarf costumes for a school play to facing a hoard of middle school kids demanding change from the box office lady, me. It's been fun, and sometimes stressful. Never once did I consider my actions part of my health maintenance regime.

A study at the Mayo Clinic showed volunteers have lower rates of heart disease and live longer. Earlier studies demonstrate mental and physical fitness improves as well.  Too much volunteering can go the opposite way, leaving one with compassion fatigue. So what's the right dosage? One needs to log in about 100 hours per year to see benefits.

Melissa Green has chaired the board of Houston's Screen Actors Guild Houston, helped develop Professional Learning Communities along with a group of teachers at Bellaire High School, and now serves on the board of the Fibromyalgia Association of Houston. She's not too concerned about what all the time she puts in does for her health; she's way too busy planning the group's next conference. “Sure, there's that do-gooder vibe, and the spirit of camaraderie that comes with the job, but I really enjoy being on the inside of an organization. I stay on top of recent research, which means a lot to me.”

Mystery writer Julie Wray Herman finds time in her writing schedule to volunteer for The Unites States Pony Club, which promotes responsible equestrians. “I've not only learned a tremendous amount about horses, but about people,” says Herman, who is going on her 11^th year as a volunteer with the organization. “I can't imagine a life without it, as volunteering comes with such a sense of belonging and community.” She also feels tremendous pride in working for an organization that has been a part of many Olympic Equestrians' lives. When Herman learned of the health benefits of her life choices, she added, “Gosh, I'll take that.”

Volunteering because it may lower your blood pressure feels a bit inauthentic. Maybe we should hand over our free time because organizations cannot continue without people giving their time, expertise and, well, money. Should you be on the other end of managing volunteers, a few tips: be as organized as possible about what is expected of any volunteer; make sure training is available if necessary; and lastly, you can never thank a volunteer enough. If happening to live longer because you have given your time freely, well then, consider it an added perk of the job.

You all know the “reap what you sow” adage. What if you give without any expectation of getting anything back? Perhaps true generosity comes with no strings attached. In the U2 anthem “With or without you,” Bono gets it right, “And you give yourself away.”

For more information on volunteering or to find opportunities in your neighborhood, please visit Volunteer.gov or IVolunteer.org.