Have you ever thought about the happiness you bring to other people? One of the traits of happy, successful people is the habit of reaching out to others, working together to accomplish good things. During our working years, this is a natural part of most jobs. At home, we have children to raise and family responsibilities to meet. Meeting these work and family responsibilities gives us a sense of purpose, of being needed.
But what happens when we retire, when the children are on their own, when we no longer have those responsibilities to meet? This is one of life’s “inflection points.” It signals an important challenge and a great opportunity. There is nothing wrong with taking that well-earned travel adventure or spending time on leisure activities. However, the novelty of these things can grow old, and they do not provide real purpose and meaning.
Staying active in your community can fill this void. Volunteering to help local causes helps not just the community, but the senior volunteer as well. Many organizations like Meals on Wheels, church groups, or OurSenior.org a registered 501 C (3) could not function if it were not for volunteers. In the United States, older adults tend to devote more hours to volunteer activities than middle-aged and younger adults. By doing so, these seniors enrich their lives in many ways, both personally and for the greater good. Here are some of the key benefits-
Social connection and belonging: Maintaining social connections and a sense of belonging is crucial for seniors’ emotional well-being. Retiring often means breaking old social connections. Community activities are a fantastic way to meet new people who share your interests. Volunteering alongside others or participating in community events can foster a sense of belonging and social connection, which can be especially helpful if you’re new to an area (think Florida) or feeling isolated.
Improved mental and physical health: Studies have shown that community involvement can boost your mental and physical well-being. Helping others can reduce stress, combat depression, and give you a sense of purpose. You may also find that physical activities like volunteering at a park cleanup or community garden provide exercise benefits. Being part of social activities and interactions provides mental stimulation. Problem solving, and learning new things helps preserve cognitive function. Seniors who stay mentally engaged through community involvement may experience better memory retention and cognitive abilities.
Increased sense of purpose: Retiring and seeing your children off should not mean that your life no longer has direction and purpose. Giving back to your community and helping those in need can be a powerful way to feel like you’re making a positive difference in the world. This sense of purpose can be very satisfying.
Development of new skills: Community activities often provide opportunities to learn and develop new skills. Participating in a community theater production could hone your acting or public speaking skills, volunteering at Meals on Wheels might teach you about food service. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity may even teach basic trade skills like carpentry or masonry.
Greater understanding of your community: Getting involved in local activities gives you a deeper understanding of the needs and challenges faced by your community. This can help you become a more informed and engaged citizen.
OurSeniors.Net always strives to be your go-to resource to fill senior needs of all kinds. We would like to publish a guide to local community involvement organizations for each of the towns and cities we serve. Unfortunately, the large geography we serve makes this impossible in a small space. Instead, we suggest that you check out Florida’s Volunteer Services Department. This agency promotes volunteerism as a solution to critical, community-wide needs in Florida. They establish initiatives and support public and private efforts to encourage Floridians to serve. Check them out by clicking here- https://www.volunteerflorida.org/volunteer-services/. These are just some of the many benefits of community involvement. If you’re looking for ways to connect with others, improve your well-being, and make a positive impact, consider getting active in your community!
