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Why People VolunteerYou may have heard someone – a family member or a close pal – who talked about his experiences when he participated in humanitarian causes. As you listened, you may have been amazed by his story and by the fact that he found the energy to pursue this endeavour in the first place. However, at the back of your mind, you may have also asked yourself, “Why did he opt to give his time to others instead of focusing on himself?” If you want to know the answer, here are some reasons why individuals offer their services to volunteer organisations:
This is perhaps the most obvious aspect for volunteering. It comes from the fact that no matter how poor you are, there will always be someone else who is less privileged than you are. This is especially true in poverty-stricken countries and in disaster-prone areas.
According to studies, reaching out to others can have positive benefits for your health. Some of these include lowering the risk of depression and heart problems, while improving functional abilities. Some experts believe that this is caused by higher oxytocin levels, which can be increased when you feel pleasure from helping other people.
Oftentimes, you may be too caught up in your job and other responsibilities. Thus, you have lesser time to interact with other people and build strong relationships, which, in turn, can lead to feelings of emptiness. However, this can be alleviated when you give your services to volunteering causes because you can gain a sense of satisfaction, plus you can meet new friends. |
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