Although Singapore has no set poverty line, there is still a noticeable disparity between social classes. One of the best ways to help them feel the effects of poverty less is by providing your time, expertise and companionship.
Volunteerism has fueled the fires of change on international and local levels. Volunteering your time, talents, and resources is one of the most effective ways to make a difference, assist others, and, as it turns out, improve your health. Many charitable organisations rely on volunteers to meet short-term and long-term objectives. According to research, participating in volunteer opportunities in and out of Singapore provides several health benefits. It can help improve physical and emotional health and offer a feeling of purpose.
10 Reasons to Harness the Benefits of Volunteering
According to Aristotle, doing good and serving others is the essence of life. Volunteering may be as fulfilling for you as it is for those you assist. There are more significant advantages to volunteering though you will not get compensated for your community work. The following are reasons you should take advantage of the various volunteer opportunities in Singapore.
#1 Promotes Physical Activity
Helping people suffering from urban poverty can make you feel younger. Adding years to your life is a genuine health advantage of volunteering. Although various volunteer professions need differing degrees of physical activity, the bottom line stays the same. Most volunteer work involves some form of physical activity, promoting excellent health. You will be moving whether you are giving out fliers on the street or arranging an event for the elderly home.
#2 Decreases Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a health issue that can lead to heart disease, heart attack, and stroke, particularly in older individuals. However, one of the health advantages of participating in volunteer opportunities around Singapore is that it lowers blood pressure. Research indicates that people over 50 who donate more than 200 hours per year are 40% less likely to develop high blood pressure.
#3 Better Heart Health
Helping people living in poverty can make your heart healthier, literally and metaphorically. Volunteering encourages physical exercise and aids in the maintenance of healthy blood pressure. As the three are linked, it should be no surprise that it also benefits your heart’s health. This health effect is not only seen in adults; one research found that kids who volunteered for an hour each week had reduced cholesterol and inflammatory levels.
#4 Lowers Stress and Depression
Aside from the physical benefits, volunteering provides emotions of fulfilment. It may be through any volunteer opportunities available in Singapore as long as it makes you happy and offers purpose to your day. They include participating in your community, assisting needy people, and donating to a good cause. According to research, regular volunteers, particularly older ones, have decreased incidences of depression.
#5 Increases Serotonin
According to research, one of the primary benefits of volunteering is the happiness it provides to you as a volunteer and to everyone you help. It is because helping others may offer you joy and make you feel rewarded. The more we contribute, the better you feel. So, make the most out of your time by volunteering for a cause that is significant to you, like abandoned pets or helping people affected by social inequality in Singapore.
#6 Boosts Confidence
Doing a selfless act for your community, especially those living in poverty, creates a sense of success. Furthermore, identifying as a volunteer may offer a feeling of identification and pride. It can help you feel good about yourself. As a volunteer, you will need to express yourself, communicate with people, work in groups, and even take the lead in some instances. The more you practise these things, the more confident you will become.
#7 Offers a Sense of Purpose
People, particularly those who have retired and are feeling lost or bored, often feel stuck and lack a sense of purpose. Volunteering can keep you physically and mentally busy, distract you from your troubles, and bring something fresh and valuable into your life. Supporting a social movement you believe in permits you to feel a part of something larger than yourself. Moreover, older individuals participating in volunteer opportunities around Singapore learn fresh views.
#8 Curb Loneliness & Isolation
Another significant health advantage of participating in volunteer opportunities around Singapore is the prevention of loneliness and social isolation. It stems from the profound connections you create with fellow volunteers and the individuals you assist. Filling your time in this way might help you avoid loneliness. Volunteering allows you to meet individuals who share your interests. It is especially crucial for older persons, who have a more difficult time meeting new people as they age.
#9 Fosters Learning
The more people age, the more challenging it is to remember new knowledge and learn new things. That is why it is critical to exercise your brain through learning-stimulating activities. Participating in various volunteer opportunities around Singapore is an excellent technique to promote learning. It is because the bulk of volunteer activities involve exchanging knowledge and skills. Spending time studying and passing on those skills and information keeps your memory fresh and your intellect in shape.
#10 Gain Knowledge & Understanding of Other Ways of Life
Learning about other ways of life that are not similar to your own will boost your social flexibility and broaden your worldview. The various volunteer opportunities available in Singapore may introduce you to an area of your community that you have never visited before. This encounter can help you better understand people who are different from you. It will also develop empathy and collaborative abilities and boost awareness of other people’s challenges and the effects of poverty.
Exploit These Advantages Now!
The Best of You is a non-profit organisation that works to reduce social and economic inequalities in Singapore. They also seek to address the challenges underprivileged groups face in the community. Volunteers and the organisation hope to help the government combat urban poverty and food insecurity by implementing innovative ideas.
Most of its members share their experiences, volunteer organisations and opportunities around Singapore you may engage. Share your experiences to urge others to resist social injustice. More information and volunteer stories are available on their website.
