Volunteering’s Health Benefits

So often we talk about the impact volunteering has on the cancer patients and medical staff we serve. The evidence that us giving of our time positively impacts participants and their families is overwhelming. But one thing we have not addressed in our blog is the benefits volunteering has on those who help Feel Beautiful Today bring its programs to cancer patients. For every person who gives time in the studio, for the Workshop Facilitators that continue to work with patients one on one, and for the ladies in the Charity Leagues that give of their time to make Feel Beautiful Today what it is, you are reaping more benefits than you might know.

According to a study done by the Corporation for National and Community Service, “Those who give support through volunteering experience greater health benefits than those who receive support through these activities” (3). And not only do the ones giving receive more health benefits, but “”providing support was found to have a stronger relationship with longevity than receiving support from others” (3). It truly is an upside down pyramid when it comes to helping others and having personal needs met.

So what are some of the benefits people who volunteer experience? Health benefits include “lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life” as well as “benefits beyond what can be achieved through medical care” for those with serious or chronic illness (1,9). In addition to multiple health benefits, volunteers also experience “a positive effect on social psychological factors” such as an increased sense of purpose, greater life satisfaction, especially for older adults going through a transitional time in their societal roles, and the likelihood of greater social integration later in life (4,7). 

While the amount of time volunteered is not directly correlated to quality of life, researchers have found a “volunteering threshold, ” meaning that a certain number of hours per week must be met in order to experience benefits; however, once the number of hours is met, there are no further benefits for extra time invested (10). Two different thresholds have been provided according to researchers: A minimum of 100 hours per year and a minimum of 40 hours per year (11). Anything less than that amount of time volunteered did not show any health benefits. 

For those of us who invest our lives in Feel Beautiful Today, it is a privilege and joy to give of our time. We see countless times the difference our programs make in patients’ and their families’ lives. But we have also experienced first hand that it truly is better to give than to receive. We invite you to join us in bringing hope to those battling the reality of cancer, knowing that you too will walk away changed and filled with hope.

To get involved, visit our volunteer page at http://www.feelbeautifultoday.org/Volunteer.html. 

Reference:

Corporation for National and Community Service, Office of Research and Policy Development. The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research, Washington, DC 2007.