Helping and working with others can have a good effect on your overall psychological well-being. Nothing relieves stress better than a meaningful connection to another person. Working with pets and other animals can also improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety. Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against depression.

    By measuring hormones and brain activity, researchers have discovered that being helpful to others delivers inner pleasure. Human beings are hard-wired to give to others.

    Volunteering increases self-confidence. You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment.And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals.

    Studies have found that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not. Older volunteers tend to walk more, find it easier to cope with everyday tasks, are less likely to develop high blood pressure, and have better thinking skills. Volunteering can also lessen symptoms of chronic pain and reduce the risk of heart disease.

A. Volunteering makes you happy.

B. The more we give, the happier we feel.

C. Volunteering provides a sense of purpose.

D. So volunteering helps you stay physically healthy.

E. Volunteering helps reduce stress, anger, and anxiety.

F. Volunteering can provide working experience when you need it.

G. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity.