When it comes to the topic of volunteering, one question often arises – ‘what is in it for me?’ While volunteering does mainly focus on helping the unfortunate, it has many benefits for the one volunteering too. It does not only help those that are being aided, but it also helps the one doing the act. And here’s a list of the ways in which it help do so:

1. Induces happiness.

According to a study conducted on two groups of people – one who volunteered and one who didn’t – it was found that those who had volunteered had left with happy feelings. Helping others makes one feel better about themselves and their contribution to the world. It combats problems like depression, and provides a sense of purpose in one’s life. When a simple act of just opening the door for someone out of the kindness of you heart can make your day, imagine what volunteering would do for you.

2. Forms connections.

When you volunteer, you do so through an organization, and obviously, you aren’t the only one looking to embark on a mission to help others. Sharing a common goal with others is known to form better understandings between people, resulting in friendships. Meeting with people from a diverse culture can also improve your social skills. It helps you better adjust in any given situation, and makes you realize that there are others that you can rely on for your own help.

3. Teaches you to be grateful.

If you are out there volunteering, then obviously you were lucky enough to receive the privileges that others didn’t. Realizing the living conditions of the unfortunate can help you feel better about yours. Often one forgets how grateful they are to have received something as simple as drinkable water. What we consider a norm is a luxury for those that you volunteer for. It is important to remind yourself of how lucky you are to be living the life you are – it helps feeling better about yourself and your life in general.

4. Helps you stay physically active.

While this may seem to be a bit far fetched, studies have proven it to be true. Believe it or not, volunteering helps you stay physically healthy. Studies have found that those who volunteer have a longer mortality rate. This is because volunteers get used to living without the simple luxuries of life like cars. Walking long distances is the norm for them, and they are able to complete their everyday tasks by themselves.

5. Increases self-confidence.

Living with others who are also serving the same purpose of you provides you with a sense of belonging. It helps you identify with a type of people and makes you realize that you are not alone. Helping others increases your sense of accomplishment, not just for yourself, but for the world as a whole, leading to increased levels of self-confidence.

6. Helps you gain career experience.

Volunteering gives you the chance to gain experience in a different field. Time that is spent is not wasted, instead, it is utilized in making a difference to the world, which most of us forget to do, busy in our daily lives. While doing so, it can also expose you to various other organizations whose internships or jobs could serve to be purposeful to your career.

7. Teaches precious and useful job skills.

While volunteering may not bring anything to your bank account, it brings a lot of valuable job skills to oneself. If the right kind of volunteering is chosen, you learn a lot of extensive skills, which could be particularly useful for your field of work. For instance, if you are in the field of HRM, volunteering can help you with better serving your peers and employees.

8. Helps you enjoy life.

For the simple fact that volunteering programs abroad introduce you to the experience of a new culture and society, they are extremely fun to be involved with. Volunteering will not only leave you with precious happy memories, but it also a way of escaping your daily duties and relaxing. If you are one of those that have a desk job, then volunteering is a great way for you to get out of the four walls and out into the world.

9. Let’s you take on a challenge.

Volunteer programs are generally held in areas that have poor living conditions. Taking on a volunteer program helps you take on the challenge of being useful and happy outside of your comfort zone. While uncovering your hidden talents, it also teaches you many more that you were unaware of. Be it a personal goal that you wish to achieve or to just the needy, volunteering will let you take on a challenge in a fun and healthy way.