The benefits of volunteer work

What you do well can do someone else good. This is the spirit of voluntary work, which means making our talent available to society. But this story, which would be beautiful if it ended there, goes further: people who act as volunteers moved by love (and not to earn points on their CV, for example) live an average of four years longer, according to a study by

University of Michigan (USA), and with a better quality of life, says American researcher Allan Luks, in the book The Healing Power of Doing Good.

“Those who do at least four hours of volunteer work per month are ten times more likely to be in good health than those who don’t volunteer,” said Lukz. The explanation? The volunteer experiences a powerful feeling of satisfaction (in English, helpers high), resulting from the reduction of stress and the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters that cause a feeling of happiness. “The person feels valued, useful, with good self-esteem. All this because you know you have something to contribute”, explains psychologist Cleonice de Andrade (SC).

On the path of solidarity

Everyone can be a volunteer – all it takes is willingness, good will and commitment. But where to start? By two questions you ask yourself: what do I know how to do best that brings me satisfaction? And how can I use my skills to help those in need? List what brings you well-being and your talents, define your time availability and then look for a job that catches your attention and is consistent with your personal values, teaches Cleonice. Even those with little time can find ways to act. That’s what 67% of Brazilian volunteers do (data from 2011 from Ibope) who work outside the home in paid activities.

There are countless benefits of volunteer work for those who carry it out:

· Improves mental and physical health

· Create new friendships

· It’s a hobby

· Provides pleasure

· Keeps the person active

· Develop your skills

· Allows you to acquire new knowledge

· Increases the chances of getting a paid job