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The Happiness Effect: How Volunteering Lifts Your Mental Health
By: Yvonne Haase, LMHC
In a world that constantly tells us to focus on self-care, we often picture bubble baths, journaling, or quiet time alone. While those practices absolutely matter, there’s a powerful, often overlooked path to happiness: helping someone else. As a mental health professional, I encourage all of my clients to volunteer to support their mental health and they always report a boost in mood!
Volunteering is not just about giving back, it’s about gaining something meaningful, too. From boosting your mood to building deeper connections, acts of service can transform not only communities, but your own mental well-being.
The “Helper’s High” Is Real
Have you ever noticed how good it feels to do something kind for someone else? That’s not just emotional, it’s biological.
When you help others, your brain releases feel-good chemicals that create what’s often called the “helper’s high.” Knowing that you have the power to put a smile on someone’s face or make a difference in their life can be a strong “anti-depressant”.
Studies show that volunteering impacts our mental health by:
- Reducing stress by shifting focus away from daily pressures
- Easing feelings of loneliness through meaningful interaction
- Boosting confidence by creating a sense of accomplishment
- Increasing overall happiness and life satisfaction
And perhaps most powerfully, volunteering creates a deep sense of belonging to something greater than ourselves. When we serve, we become part of a shared mission and purpose, reminding us that we matter, we are connected, and we are making a difference together.
A Powerful Practice for Women
For many women, life is a constant balancing act, careers, caregiving, relationships, and responsibilities often leave little room for personal fulfillment. Volunteering offers a chance to step outside of those daily roles and reconnect with what truly inspires you. Women who feel that their careers are draining or uninspiring, report feeling more fulfilled when they volunteer for a cause that is meaningful to them.
Volunteering can be an opportunity to explore passions, use your voice, and make an impact in a way that feels authentic and energizing. Women also gain connections and make meaningful friendships when they work alongside other like minded women.
At Suits, Stilettos and Lipstick, we love our volunteers. Many of them have been with us since our inception in 2012. Our volunteers do not just uplift our community, they uplift each other and create a true sense of belonging that is felt in every event, every connection, and every shared moment. We post opportunities for volunteers in our newsletter, so be sure to read them and join us to experience the happiness effect for yourself.
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