Volunteering Makes You Happier – Here’s Why

Recently came across an interesting article about volunteering and had to share:

When researchers at the London School of Economics examined the relationship between volunteering and measures of happiness, they found the more people volunteered, the happier they were. - Simple Changes, Big Rewards: A practical, easy guide for healthy, happy living. 

While there are many factors that lead to happiness, research proves that volunteering definitely makes people happier (and even healthier).

So why does volunteering make you happier?

Research shows that volunteering will help you live longer, and that should be cause enough to make you happy. But there are other reasons as to why volunteering makes you happier… here are 3 leading theories as to why:

 1. Giving Time Makes You Feel That You Have More Time

“Not having enough time” is considered one of the biggest stressors and detractors of happiness. However, the feeling of having more time lower stress.

 A long line of empirical research, including one study of over 2,000 people, has shown that acts of altruism—giving to friends and strangers alike—decrease stress and strongly contribute to enhanced mental health.

While not necessarily intuitive, giving your time to others will likely benefit you as much as any other party. A study from Harvard Wharton, and Yale, ‘Giving Times Gives You Time‘, summarizes the benefits nicely:

Happier people give more and giving makes people happier, such that happiness and giving may operate in a positive feedback loop (with happier people giving more, getting happier, and giving even more).

Counter-intuitive as it may be, volunteering increases your perception of how much time you have, and lowers your stress in the process.

 2. Volunteering Creates Social Bonds That Make You Feel Loved

Social relationships are described as ‘perhaps’ the ‘greatest single cause’ of happiness. - Michael Argyle, The Psychology of Happiness

In 1943, Maslow released his groundbreaking research that we now know as the “Hierarchy of Needs”. In it, he hypothesized that after safety, the thing that people need most is “Emotional Belonging”

According to Maslow, humans need to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance among their social groups, regardless if these groups are large or small.

Spending time volunteering creates bonds with fellow volunteers, organizations hosting volunteers, and the beneficiaries. The social bonds created during volunteering contribute directly to feelings of belonging.

According to research from University of Minnesota,  volunteering also creates social capital which leads to more interaction, engagement, and trust with the people that you volunteer with.

“We must cultivate the science of human relationships – the ability of all people, of all kinds, to live together and work together.” —Franklin D. Roosevelt

 3. Volunteering Extends Empathy; Empathy Leads to Life Satisfaction

Jeremy Rifkin, a best-selling author, has a wildly popular video and book called ‘The Empathic Civilization‘. He argues that the only way we can truly create a sustainable and healthy planet is by extending empathy across borders. By doing so, he explains that you will create relationships which ultimately lead to happiness.

When people go Experteering through MovingWorlds, they consistently report that “creating new friendships” and “spending time with locals” are some of the biggest contributors to positive experiences while volunteering their skills overseas.

In the “6 Habits of Highly Empathic People“, Roman Krznaric shares that empathy creates the social glue that will hold our societies together, and that 98% of people have the ability to be empathic. His research shows that of all people, the most empathic are also committed to social change

Highly Empathic People understand that empathy can also be a mass phenomenon that brings about fundamental social change.

By engaging in social change, Roman quotes happiness guru Martin Seligman who identifies empathy as a key character strength that can enhance life satisfaction, and with it, happiness. 

Volunteering always makes me feel better. It quite often is a positive coping mechanism for me when I am feeling down. There isn't anything quite like the feeling of helping someone or something in need. I enjoy volunteering for several organizations: American Red Cross, Wayside Waifs, SW Johnson County CERT and United Way. There are so many great organizations to volunteer for! If you would like to volunteer but are not sure where to begin, here is a good resource: Volunteer Match - http://www.volunteermatch.org/. By submitting your interests you can find an organization that best fits your interests as well as a non-profits needs. Get out there and make a difference in your life and others!

Depression doesn't discriminate.

Unless you've been living under a rock the past 24 hours you know by now that Robin Williams took his life yesterday. I have to admit, I am disappointed with the media. There is no good reason to report how Robin Williams took his life. Providing details of the how hurts the surviving family and friends who don't need to hear the details of how over and over again. The how also can be a trigger to those who have lost a loved one to suicide. It can also be a trigger for those who may be having suicidal thoughts. Their minds are already vulnerable. Hearing how someone took their life may be enough of a trigger for them to follow through with their suicidal thoughts. I also found it disappointing that media didn't take the opportunity to include resources for suicide prevention in their stories. It was a platform to help those who might need it and the media failed to take advantage of the opportunity. I posted on some of the news sites to please report responsibly when reporting about suicide. My post probably fell to deaf ears but I had to try. If we can't help someone, at least don't hurt them! I felt like the news didn't do anything to help and only led to the possibility of hurting people.

It wasn't a secret that Williams struggled with alcohol and drug abuse, going to rehab more than once. What most of us probably didn't know was that Robin Williams was struggling with depression. That's the problem with depression, it doesn't discriminate. It doesn't care if you are rich, poor, successful, young or old, anyone is susceptible to depression. It often leads to isolation. And trust me, when you isolate you are much less likely to ask for help! Been there, done that... Robin Williams used humor to bring others happiness. I am willing to bet he used humor as a coping mechanism. And why not? Laughter is good for the soul! But sometimes those who smile the brightest are hurting the most. They just learn how to mask it better than the rest of us.  

When we reach the point we can't cope with our depression something has to give. Suicide is not chosen; it happens when pain exceeds resources for coping with pain.

If you are suicidal please hang on and ask for help. There are resources out there to help you! You can survive suicidal feelings if you do either of 2 things: 1) find a way to reduce your pain or 2) find a way to increase your coping resources. Both are possible!

Here are 5 things to think about if you are feeling suicidal:

1. You need to know that people do get through this - even people who feel as badly as you are feeling right now. 
2. Give yourself some distance. Say to yourself, "I will wait 24 hours before I do anything." Remember that feelings and actions are 2 different things - just because you feel like taking your life, doesn't mean that you have to actually do it right this minute. Put some distance between your suicidal feelings and suicidal action. 
3. People often turn to suicide because they are seeking relief from pain. Remember that relief is a feeling. And you have to be alive to feel it. You will not feel the relief you so desperately seek if you are dead. I know that sounds harsh but it's true. 
4. Some people will react badly to your suicidal feelings, either because they are frightened or angry. But there are people out there who can help you in this horrible time, and will not judge you or argue with you or send you to a hospital or try to talk you out of how badly you feel. They will simply care for you. Find one of these people. Use your 24 hours and tell someone what's going on with you. It is ok to not be ok. It's also ok to ask for help! Don't give yourself the additional burden of trying to cope alone. Just talking about how you got to where you are releases an awful lot of the pressure and it might be just the additional coping resource you need to regain your balance.
5. Suicidal feelings are, in and of themselves, traumatic. After they subside, you need to continue caring for yourself. There are many positive coping mechanisms such as therapy, self help groups, books, forums on the internet, etc.

If you are struggling, please reach out to someone...a friend, family member, teacher, pastor, coworker...anyone! People really do want to help! It's hard sometimes to talk to family or friends when you are hurting and need help. There are resources available such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call them at 1-800-273-8255. You can remain anonymous. They are there to listen and help. You do not need to be suicidal to call. They also have a chat feature if you prefer that instead of calling. Visit them online at: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.  If you are struggling and need to talk, they are there to listen and to help you with resources. Help is available!  

Robin Williams will be remembered for his many roles on and off screen. He brought smiles to many. Let's remember Robin Williams for how he lived rather than how he died. But please use his death as a reminder that people do hurt and do need help. Reach out to someone today. You might be the only one who does. It could very well save their life!

"No Matter What People Tell You, Words and Ideas Can Change the World." - Robin Williams.

RIP Robin Williams

ACT. Ask...Care...Take

The Kansas City Fire Department is starting a new program this month aimed at ending suicides within the fire department family. The program is called ACT. It stands for 'Ask, Care and Take'.

If you read my previous post titled Because One Suicide is One Too Many! or another post titled Suicide in Law Enforcement... What can be done to prevent it? then you know suicide is often not talked about in Fire/EMS/Law Enforcement. The often mentioned mantra is ‘We help others but never ourselves.’ That’s our culture. ‘ Don’t ask for help.’” It's time we change that! After losing one of their own recently to suicide as well as 3 others in the last 10 years, KCFD has decided it's time to step up and talk about suicide prevention. With help from Richard Gist, principle assistant to the fire chief and public health psychologist with KCFD, they have come up with the ACT program to help fire fighters who may be struggling.

The concept of the program is this: Ask what's going on with someone and if they are thinking about hurting themselves. Care is about showing a person that you care about them. Take stands for taking that person to a place where they can get help if you determine they need help.

Nico Cruz, a 23 year veteran of the KCFD took his life on July 27, 2014. His service was held on Saturday August 2, 2014. He is survived by four children. His oldest daughter, Catalina Cruz, said that she decided to speak out about her father's suicide in hopes of preventing other suicides. Her interview can be seen by clicking on the picture below and following the link.

I attended Nico's service. Having gone to high school with Nico and catching up periodically over the years I know what a big heart he had! He volunteered with MDA and BACA. He was passionate about protecting kids from child abuse. And personally, I will always remember that he took the time to call me after my fire 2 years ago to make sure I was okay and ask if I needed anything. In this day and age, who takes time to do that? Nico did! His death was a shock to so many of us who knew him. He did so much for others but was unable to ask for help for himself when he needed it. It's time to stand up and talk about mental health not only in the fire industry, EMS and Law Enforcement but to the public in general. I was so impressed with Nico's family during his service. Many times when suicide is the reason for someones death the family won't mention it. Not only did Nico's family mention it as cause of death but they took the opportunity to use his service as a forum to advocate suicide prevention. They asked everyone in attendance to reach out and speak to someone if they were hurting and needed help. Pamphlets about suicide prevention were available for anyone to pick up. I guarantee you, there was not a dry eye in the house! This was a family in pain that desperately wanted to reach out to others in hopes of preventing another family from going through similar pain. I admire the family for their courage during such a difficult time!

Catalina's message was this... "My message would be if you know anyone who is struggling with suicide, please talk with them and get some help!"

Cousin Desmond McIntyre, also a fire fighter with KCFD, explained that firefighters see things that you can never erase from your mind and deal with stresses and family and work that are incredibly difficult. He encouraged others to take the time to talk with people and find out how they're really doing and do it often. It's not clear what caused Nico to take his life. It is clear he was hurting.

If you suspect someone is hurting, reach out to them. Sometimes people are afraid to talk to family or friends regarding things they may be struggling with. If you know someone who is struggling but fear they may be afraid to talk, there are good resources you can point them to. One such resource is the Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 

If you call the Lifeline you can remain anonymous. They are there to listen and help! You do not have to be suicidal to call. Anyone who is hurting and needs to talk can call. They also have a chat line if you prefer. Having used this resource myself I can assure you, it is a great resource and you can remain anonymous! What I learned from my experience (I used the chat function) is that you really can remain anonymous and people really do want to help! The only time they will disclose your identity is if you are going to hurt yourself. I wasn't suicidal when I contacted the Lifeline, I just really needed to talk through something that I wasn't sure I could talk to my family or friends about. Thanks to having a positive experience with the Lifeline, I now see a therapist on a regular basis and that is a great help to me. Sometimes it's not easy to talk to family or friends and that's when talking to a professional can help. I had to wait until I was insured again before I could start working with a therapist but I am glad I did. She is a good resource for me and I feel safe talking to her about any issues including Nico's suicide. I know a lot of people are hurting after losing Nico in such a shocking way. If you are struggling with Nico's death or any other issue please reach out for help! 

IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS AND NEED IMMEDIATE HELP, 

please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). 

Seeking help is a sign of strength not of weakness. It is the first step in reestablishing control in your life. Always remember when there is life there is hope!

RIP Nico! You are loved and so very much missed!