Don’t Just Retire – Volunteer!

Now that you’re retired, you may be wondering what you’re going to do to fill up all of your time during the day. With children grown and out of the house, you don’t have the same day-to-day responsibilities that you had when they were growing, and your life isn’t as full with busywork and rushing around as it once was. If that’s the case, why don’t you try volunteering? Volunteering has many benefits for older folks who need to do something meaningful with their time to keep you sharp and active.

Volunteering Prevents Isolation and Depression

Volunteering keeps you active, which improves both your physical and mental health. When you spend your days alone, you can easily succumb to the effects of isolation and depression. By donating your time, you establish and reinforce your connections to the town where you live, as well as your bond with your fellow volunteers and the organizations that are receiving the benefit of your volunteerism. This can prevent feelings of aloneness and the sadness that comes with it.

Volunteering Provides a Sense of Purpose

While gardening, knitting and doing crossword puzzles are a lovely way to spend your time, they don’t provide the same feeling of accomplishment, fulfillment and purpose that volunteering can provide. Volunteering can make a real difference in your community, where you’ll be able to see the effects of your good deeds first hand. It’s important to live your life with a sense of purpose and meaning, and volunteering provides that meaning for many, many people.

How Do I Volunteer?

You can get started by searching for your own hometown on https://www.volunteermatch.org/, which will match you with local volunteerism opportunities.

There has never been a better time to flex your philanthropic muscles and make a difference in your hometown! If you’re looking for a way to get connected with others and find a sense of meaning and purpose, try volunteering.