With so many of our clients planning active retirements, it’s no surprise that one of the main activities they are most looking forward to is volunteering. There are a myriad of benefits to volunteering including:
1. Staying connected to your community
We know that social isolation increases the risk of a variety of serious health problems including depression. After people stop working they may lose some of the usual social connections. Volunteering can help you meet people with similar interests and values, and bridge generational gaps.
2. Keeping you active
Maintaining a healthy level of fitness helps fend off diseases as you age. Whether you are running errands for families in hospital or walking around your neighbourhood raising funds for a local school, volunteering is a great way to stay active in retirement.
3. Gaining confidence
Volunteering requires talking to a range of different people and honing your problem-solving skills, giving you a natural sense of accomplishment. It is also a low-stakes way to step out of your comfort zone and try something new, who knows what hidden talents you’ll uncover!
There are so many ways you can support your community through volunteering but if you are struggling for inspiration a great place to start is comlinkaustralia.com.au