Look for purpose. As part of your overall well-being, ask yourself the critical question: Do I have a sense of purpose in my life? If not, work toward the important goal of discovering one that rings true for you.
Start close to home. Oftentimes the needs of your own family may get overlooked in your desire to be of service. But family members, especially elderly ones, are prime candidates for tender loving care. Make a point of staying in touch, including them in your life and visiting on a consistent basis.
Make a difference. Volunteer at a school, library, hospital or senior center. These institutions often need help from their community. Many community members believe it’s someone else’s responsibility to jump in and lend a hand, but in reality, engagement falls on each one of our shoulders. Just an hour or two a week can make a huge difference in someone’s life — and you may be surprised by how moving it can be to learn from someone older or younger than you.
Join a community board. Community service organizations depend on attracting local talent to serve on their boards, sharing their vision and resources. Whatever your abilities or experience, your knowledge and insights will be welcomed at not-for-profit, community-based organizations. Register with Create the Good and check out AARP’s Volunteer Opportunity Board to find out ways to volunteer in your state.
Be a good neighbor. Getting to know your neighbors — being a friendly emissary — is one of the most primary ways you can give back to your near and soon-to-be dear. A friendly wave, a solicitous greeting, or offering to lend a hand with errands or yardwork helps you feel connected and valued in your immediate locale.
Why
Dig deep. Ask yourself: Do I have a sense of purpose in my life?
Start close in. Oftentimes the needs of your own family may get overlooked in your desire to be of service. But family members, especially elderly ones, are prime candidates for tender loving care.
Be the difference maker. Volunteer at institutions and organizations in your community that need help.
Volunteering is a good way to explore, discover and ripen into your sense of purpose. In helping to make a difference in others’ lives, it can make an even bigger difference in your own. From boosting self-confidence to fulfilling our primary need for purpose, volunteering offers many health benefits including lower risk of anxiety, depression and social isolation — especially for older adults. Altruistic behavior is linked to greater well-being, health and longevity according to a June 2005 review of studies published in the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. Volunteering is also a great way to support brain health — all that stimulation goes right to your head (in the best sense). One long-running study, the Baltimore Experience Corp, found volunteering not only staved off brain shrinkage, but that the brains of the male volunteers grew slightly.
Lead study author Michelle Carlson said the volunteering added “complexity and novelty” to the lives of the retirees. When you give back, your sense of life satisfaction gets amplified, plus you feel happy and connected to others. Research suggests that the positive impacts of volunteering can exert a protective effect in old age. Many studies show that happy people give more, and giving makes people happier, contributing to a positive feedback loop that is a win-win for all involved.
