Volunteering gives you the chance to help those in need. But did you know it can also have a positive impact on the person volunteering? In fact, a study in the Health Psychology journal found that participants who volunteered regularly lived longer. Plus, we’ve previously talked about how volunteering can improve heart health and boost brain function. Recently, I had the opportunity to learn first-hand after volunteering as an employee of Mass General Brigham Health Plan. Continue reading to learn more about my experience and the positive impact it had on me.
Last spring, I volunteered with Mass General Brigham Health Plan at Community Servings. I previously sold pies for Community Servings’ annual Pie in the Sky fundraiser, so this felt like a full-circle moment to finally volunteer in their kitchen. Community Servings provides scratch-made, medically tailored meals to individuals and their families, across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, living with severe critical and chronic illnesses. So, our team helped prepare meals in Community Serving’s commercial-grade kitchen in Jamaica Plain. After watching a video about food safety, we were off to our workstations within the kitchen. I spent the day chopping beets, slicing chicken, and, my favorite, measuring dough for breadmaking. For anyone who has watched The Bear, this opportunity felt like stepping a foot into the show. I had to refrain from shouting “Yes, Chef!” when given instructions from our volunteer guides. At the end of our shift, the team broke bread and discussed the different stations we were assigned to, with the general sentiment that we wanted to do it again.
This fall, the Mass General Brigham Health Plan team came together for a day of service with A Bed for Every Child. This non-profit provides safe and comfortable beds for children in need across Massachusetts. Our volunteers worked in teams to build 10 beds in about two hours. A Bed for Every Child provided us with tools, lumber, and instructions to build each bed. There was a healthy level of competition as each team began sanding and assembling their beds. Mass General Brigham Health Plan President Steve Tringale even provided our team with some invaluable carpentry tips and hacks to help us gain an edge. It was incredible to see all the finished beds lined up at the end.
For decades, the health benefits of volunteering have been studied and discussed. I can see why. I experienced the following positive mental, physical, and social benefits after volunteering. For example:
Mental
- Mood booster: It feels amazing to help others. After each volunteer experience, I could feel a boost of serotonin that elevated my mood.
- Brain workout: In a typical workday, I am not measuring lumber or weighing dough. Changing up my routine and learning new skills made me feel refreshed and got my creative juices flowing.
- Sense of accomplishment: Looking at the finished meals we prepared and the beds we assembled, I knew the time spent volunteering was well worth it. That sense of pride carried over to the rest of my work week and when telling family and friends about my volunteer experience.
Physical
- Calorie burning: Sanding lumber and moving around the kitchen had me breaking a sweat. These mini-workouts were energizing and prepared me to tackle the rest of my day.
- Stepping up: Seeing my fitness tracker log more than 10,000 steps on both volunteer days was an added reward for helping others.
Social
- Networking: I had the chance to collaborate with volunteers from outside of our organization and from other departments. Volunteering with individuals I typically don’t get an opportunity to interact with broadened my view of the company and my community.
- Team building: Focusing on a common goal outside of our typical workday helped our team come together to problem solve and expand our teamwork.
Helping others and feeling good while doing it is a win-win situation. If you’re interested in volunteering, connect with a local non-profit or check out opportunities with Community Servings and A Bed for Every Child.
Learn more about how Mass General Brigham Health Plan supports our community: MGBHP.org/meet-us/in-our-community
