May - June 2018 Health and Happiness: The Surprising Benefits of Volunteering This is the program I shared during the Spring Council Appreciation Dinner in April. Adapted from Helpguide.org/ Jeanne Segal and Lawrence Robinson The Happiness Effect A study from the London School of Economics found that the more that people volunteered, the happier they were. Compared with people who never volunteered at all: Monthly volunteers are 7% happier Every 2-4 week volunteers are 12% happier Weekly volunteers are 16% happier Benefit 1: Volunteering connects you to others Volunteers, such as Extension Homemakers, give their time and talents to impact the lives of people in our community and beyond. Even so, when we give of ourselves to help others, we too will benefit--it is a two-way street. When we find ourselves involved in service projects, we are also making new friends and boosting our own social skills. So it naturally follows that we end up strengthening our own ties to the community. Benefit 2: Volunteering is good for your mind and body Nothing relieves stress better than a meaningful connection to another person--it counteracts the effects of stress, anger, anxiety. Volunteering helps combat depression by helping us focus on others. That makes us happy--the more we give, the happier we feel. Surprisingly, this leads to an increase in self- confidence because we know we have helped others. Volunteering also provides a sense of purpose –especially for those who may have had a recent major life adjustment, i.e. lost a spouse or recently retired. Giving of yourself helps you stay physically healthy. Those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not volunteer—more normal blood pressure, less chronic pain, clearer thinking, and a reduced risk of heart disease. (Continued on page 2) For more information, contact the Cleveland County Extension office at 870-325-6321. You may also email Diane Clement at [email protected]. In This Issue: Health and Happiness EHC Reminders AEHC State Meeting County Events Watermelon Tomato Salad Cleveland County Office 501 East Magnolia PO Box 386 Rison, AR 71665 Phone: (870) 325-6321 Diane Clement County Extension Agent- Family and Consumer Sciences E-mail: [email protected]Facebook: UAEX Cleveland County Twitter: @ClementDiane
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May - June 2018
Health and Happiness:
The Surprising Benefits of Volunteering This is the program I shared during the Spring Council Appreciation Dinner in April.
Adapted from Helpguide.org/ Jeanne Segal and Lawrence Robinson
The Happiness Effect
A study from the London School of Economics found that the
more that people volunteered, the happier they were.
Compared with people who never volunteered at all:
Monthly volunteers are 7% happier
Every 2-4 week volunteers are 12% happier
Weekly volunteers are 16% happier
Benefit 1: Volunteering connects you to others
Volunteers, such as Extension Homemakers, give their time and
talents to impact the lives of people in our community and
beyond. Even so, when we give of ourselves to help others, we
too will benefit--it is a two-way street. When we find ourselves
involved in service projects, we are also making new friends
and boosting our own social skills. So it naturally follows that we
end up strengthening our own ties to the community.
Benefit 2: Volunteering is good for your mind and body
Nothing relieves stress better than a meaningful connection to
another person--it counteracts the effects of stress, anger,
anxiety. Volunteering helps combat depression by helping us
focus on others. That makes us happy--the more we give, the
happier we feel. Surprisingly, this leads to an increase in self-
confidence because we know we have helped others.
Volunteering also provides a sense of purpose –especially for
those who may have had a recent major life adjustment, i.e.
lost a spouse or recently retired.
Giving of yourself helps you stay physically healthy. Those who
volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not
volunteer—more normal blood pressure, less chronic pain, clearer
thinking, and a reduced risk of heart disease. (Continued on page 2) For more information, contact the Cleveland County Extension office at 870-325-6321. You may
Cleveland County Office 501 East Magnolia PO Box 386 Rison, AR 71665 Phone: (870) 325-6321 Diane Clement County Extension Agent- Family and Consumer Sciences E-mail: [email protected] Facebook: UAEX Cleveland County Twitter: @ClementDiane