Elizabeth Hopper wrote an article confirming volunteering helps your mental Health.

"How Volunteering Can Help Your Mental Health"

A synopsis of the article was the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the widespread adoption of social distancing measures, contributing to heightened stress and feelings of isolation. Certain demographic groups, such as the elderly, parents managing both work and childcare, and those facing unemployment, have been disproportionately affected. Despite these challenges, a notable response has been the surge in volunteerism, even in virtual or remote capacities. Remarkably, engaging in volunteer activities has been linked to improved mental well-being, a particularly uplifting finding amid reports that over a third of Americans are grappling with symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Comparing individuals who volunteered with those who did not, the research reveals that volunteers reported higher life satisfaction and rated their overall health more positively. Moreover, a frequency-dependent relationship emerged, indicating that those who volunteered more frequently reaped greater mental health benefits. Strikingly, individuals who volunteered at least once a month exhibited better mental health than those who volunteered sporadically or abstained altogether.

A crucial question arises: does volunteering cultivate happiness, or do inherently happy individuals gravitate towards volunteer opportunities? Even when accounting for participants' baseline well-being levels, the study found consistent results, suggesting that engaging in volunteering activities led to increased happiness over time. While it's true that happier individuals may naturally be inclined to volunteer more, this research implies that one doesn't necessarily need pre-existing happiness to derive benefits from volunteering. Intriguingly, individuals with lower initial levels of well-being may even experience a more substantial uplift from engaging in volunteer work.

To gauge the magnitude of the positive effects of volunteering, researchers compared it to the impact of income on happiness. Astonishingly, for a participant earning an average middle-class salary, the happiness derived from volunteering was estimated to be equivalent to approximately $1,100 per year. In other words, volunteering was found to contribute a significant boost to well-being, akin to the impact of having an extra $1,100 in income.

Delving into the reasons behind the mental health benefits of volunteering, Ricky Lawton, associate director at Simetrica Research Consultancy and lead author of the paper, suggests a combination of factors at play. First, volunteering seems to be inherently rewarding, generating a "warm glow" when individuals contribute to helping others. Second, volunteering is likely to enhance social connections, a crucial aspect of mental well-being. Particularly for older adults, volunteering serves as a means to stay connected to others post-retirement.

 

The Cleveland Clinic published an article

"Why Giving Is Good for Your Health"

A briefing of the article i we're well aware of the positive impact that giving has on others – whether it's offering time and support to friends and family, volunteering for organizations, or donating to charities. However, the fascinating aspect is that the warm and fuzzy feeling derived from helping others isn't just a subjective notion; there's scientific evidence supporting it. Renowned psychologist Susan Albers, PsyD, sheds light on the health benefits associated with giving, emphasizing that the joy derived from helping others contributes to both physical and mental well-being.