Volunteering is the act of giving up your own time to help a cause without the expectation of payment or reward. It is an incredibly fulfilling and worthwhile way to spend your time since you will most likely be working towards helping other people and making the world a better place for everyone. No matter how small or how large the organization you volunteer for might be, and no matter how junior or senior role you fill, volunteering is a great way to boost your own life and the lives of others. Here are four reasons that you should consider looking for opportunities to volunteer your time.

1. Improve Your Community

When you choose to volunteer within your local area, you will quickly start to see the positive impact that your actions are having on the community. Helping out at the food bank or spending time with isolated seniors can be a fantastic way to make the lives of people within your surrounding area much happier. Small improvements can make a big difference and making one person’s life better is surely worthwhile. Take a look around your own neighborhood and think about the ways you can help out. Join a trash collection group or a reserve firefighting team. Being able to see tangible changes thanks to your actions is hugely rewarding.

2. A Sense of Purpose

Many people struggle with finding meaning in their lives. This can leave them feeling lost or disheartened by the world. If you have ever experienced these kinds of feelings and crave a purpose, volunteering could be perfect for you. It can be difficult to choose which path you want to take in life, particularly if you focus on common routes like career success or a happy family. These goals take time and effort, but while you are working towards achieving them, you could volunteer your time to a good cause. Offer to help out at a veterans charity or take care of foster pets before they move on to a new home. The sense of purpose you’ll feel will make it easier to have patience with achieving your other goals.

3. Fill Gaps in Employment

Sometimes when you look for a new job, the interviewer might question you about gaps in your employment history. It can be difficult to explain these gaps, but if you want to prevent it in the future, then you can take up volunteering whenever you are between jobs. It’s a worthwhile use of your time, and you can gain valuable experience that future employers might want. You could search for volunteering opportunities that also offer chances to learn new skills or experience unfamiliar challenges.

4. Being Selfless is Good for Your Mental Health

If you ever feel low or not happy with yourself, volunteering is a great way to get out of your own head and distract you from negative feelings. Unlike other distractions such as watching TV or playing games, volunteering gets you active and helping others. Being kind benefits both whoever you are helping and yourself.