When we talk about things that we can do to boost our wellbeing, the idea of volunteering often comes up. Offering our time, energy and skills to help an organisation to do something that is of value to our community. But yet I sometimes notice that there's a reluctance for us to think about what we can gain from volunteering. As if it's somehow embarrassing or selfish to consider the personal benefits.
When I learnt about the idea of the 'helper's high', it affirmed for me that it's acceptable for us to be motivated to volunteer out of more than just selfless altruism. The concept is simple. Doing good really does make you feel good. And we shouldn't be ashamed of it. It's a natural instinct that has developed in order to motivate us to do good things for others, whether it's for people, for animals, for our environment, or for the community as a whole.
So if you're looking for something new in your life, it's worth thinking about helping others. It might be in a structured way, volunteering through a charity or through a workplace programme. You stand to gain other things too - new friends, new connections, new skills. But it can also bring that uplifting sense of the 'helpers high'. And this might be exactly what we need when we are struggling with our mood or our sense of purpose. If you're interested in thinking about this a little more, I've commented for an article in iNews all about 'giving back' in order to boost our wellbeing. Click here to read more.
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