Volunteering Helps You Feel Better

However you choose to volunteer . . .

This Monday not only celebrates the accomplishments of Martin Luther King, but also encourages service. Helping others will actually make you feel better. Studies show that when people donate to charity or serve others the portion of the brain which is responsible for feelings of reward are trigged. The brain actually releases chemicals which cause us to feel better.

Another interesting finding is that people who volunteer have a higher self-esteem and overall feeling of well-being. This seems to be because of social connectedness increases which increases your self-esteem.

There are a lot of opportunities to serve and volunteer in the Vancouver, WA area.

you’ll personal benefit.

Check out the City of Vancouver’s website for service opportunities in the following departments.

• Police Department
• Fire Department
• Parks and Recreation
• Neighborhood Associations
• Urban Forestry
• Water Resources Education Center
• Water Resources Protection
• Boards and Commissions
• Speed Monitor Awareness Team (SMART)

VolunteerMatch.org has hundreds of volunteer opportunities. These include such things as:

• Mentoring youth while they are in a juvenile facility.
• Meals on Wheels. Help provide nutritional and social lifeline for seniors.
• Spread awareness about multiple sclerosis.
• Work with vulnerable children
• Invasive Species Survey 
• Girl Scouts Troop Organizer 
• Host a YFU Exchange Student
• Animal Shelter Laundry. Clean bedding for animals
• Dog Adoption Ambassador
• Court Appointed Special Advocates.
• Help build a house. Evergreen Habitat for Humanity 

So if you are looking for more happiness in your life, consider finding an opportunity to serve.