In one of the conversations with Medicircle, Rajneesh Dwivedi, CEO and Co-Founder of Second Medic which delivers one-stop remote healthcare solutions mentioned, “The social health network is getting popular. People are helping each other out in finding hospitals and medications. They are coming to each other's rescue and helping each other in being healthy.” He spoke in the context of how people volunteered to lend a helping hand during the pandemic crisis by coming forward to help in arranging oxygen, plasma through blood donations, food etc. for others.

What benefits does volunteering provide?

We have all seen that neighbours and friends were there to arrange all possible help when things were getting haywire. Some people were not even able to manage their food as all in the family were ill and it was the neighbours who were helping out with cooked food, medicine and other such things. They must have got at least one benefit out of volunteering as listed below:

1. Volunteering keeps you healthy – There is evidence from research that people are physically and mentally healthier if they volunteer for social causes. This stands true particularly for the older adults. Studies show that such people have lower mortality rates and higher happiness levels. For older individuals there are many volunteering options even from afar, if there is an issue of flexibility during movements.

2. Your social network becomes large – We all live in society. Our social network is significant and that does not imply that social networks should only be large digitally on various social media platforms. Rather, the number of people who can really come to help you out in crisis is what matters. If you are volunteering to help others, you do not need to worry about that because volunteering creates a rich network of people who reciprocate what you have done for them. You make true friends and everlasting contacts. 

3. Volunteering increases self-confidence and self-satisfaction – If you do good to others, you feel very good. The positive vibes that you experience in return takes your self-confidence levels several notches higher. There is a sense of accomplishment. Happiness follows every volunteering activity.

4. Volunteering increases employability skills – Young adults and adolescents can volunteer to make their resumes rich. It certainly pays off when you are looking for jobs. It adds a feather to your cap and makes you a distinct applicant. Through volunteering you are able to gain hands-on experience of things that can make you a good employee later on. 

So, if you want to bring back more energy and fulfilment to your life, just volunteer in whichever way you can. Your motivation levels will be renewed and you will feel healthy and happy.