Thinking about volunteering? That’s music to our ears – and to your heart! Helping others is literally good for your health but no need to take our biased words for it because the science is here to prove it. .
Here are five evidence-backed and rather cool facts about how volunteering and helping others can boost happiness:
- The “Helper’s High” Is Real – Studies in neuroscience show that acts of kindness trigger the brain’s reward system, releasing endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin — creating a euphoric feeling similar to a runner’s high.
- Volunteers Are 42% More Likely to Feel “Very Happy” – Research from the London School of Economics found that the more people volunteer, the happier they are, with frequent volunteers reporting the highest levels of life satisfaction.
- Kindness Protects Your Heart – A Harvard study found that people who regularly volunteer have lower blood pressure and reduced risk of heart disease, thanks to lowered stress and stronger social connections.
- It’s a Natural Mood Booster – Even small, everyday acts of kindness — like helping a stranger or mentoring — can increase happiness for up to three days afterward, according to research from the University of British Columbia. (For us at TheOneHourProject, that’s just one hour of mentoring for up to three days of feeling good after)!
- Happier People Live Longer – A meta-analysis of 40 studies found that volunteers have a 24% lower risk of dying early — partly because helping others gives people purpose, meaning, and stronger emotional resilience.
Apart from these five actual feel-good reasons to volunteer, your one hour of mentoring, teaching a skill, or imparting knowledge helps partner organisations that help others. That’s one hour, one coffee break really, that benefits your life span and your community.
Feeling even more excited to volunteer? Make your own happy pill by checking out opportunities at www.theonehourproject.com
