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Later, (1988) Growald and Luks report that not only doing good but just thinking about altruistic action may give the immune system a boost.
The fact that volunteering can help reduce stress levels is particularly important, because stress lies at the root cause of many illnesses. In The Stress of Life, Hungarian physicist Hans Selye called for a new way of life that would reduce the negative effects of stress; his remedy was to do good for oneself by making the effort to do good for others.
The fact sheet Volunteering as a Vehicle for Social Support and Life Satisfaction published by the Public Health Agency of Canada notes that volunteering boosts wellbeing because it enhances social networks. There are many knock-on effects to this:
· Lower premature death rates
· Fewer heath risk factors
· Greater self-esteem – you know you’re needed
· Personal coping skills and resources
· Eases the stress of life
· Enhances levels of trust
· Reduces anger and hostility
Many people and animals have been sufficiently touched by someone who reached out to lend a hand that it’s changed their lives forever. They just needed someone to care. What would it feel like to know that you have that impact? And wouldn’t you like to enjoy the feel-good factor of volunteering that comes not just immediately after you’ve done your kind deed but as you remember it, weeks later?
So there you go. Volunteer, do a kind act, make a difference and boost your feel-good factor. Make it a habit! There are lots of animals out there who would really welcome a helping hand and a paw, as would the charities who care for them, and lots of ways in which you can help.
Boost your feel-good factor - get out there and volunteer! |