LAKEPORT— When Sue Burton of Clearlake Oaks says she loves volunteering, brain chemistry is at work literally producing a pleasure chemical for the body called dopamine. According to David J. Linden, professor of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University, “Your brain’s pleasure circuits are activated by acts of charity.” The London School of Economics examined the relationship between volunteering and measures of happiness in a large group of American adults. They found the more people volunteered, the happier they were. Burton is an active community leader including Konocti School District and Redbud Health District Board member who began volunteering for Hospice Services of Lake County 9 years year ago.
Burton has found that her efforts to give back have become a “paying it forward” experience. “It is amazing that with all the volunteering with the Wings of Hope family camps, the more I give, the more full I feel,” says Burton. “My fellow volunteers are encouraging and uplifting.” And that’s another benefit of volunteering: the interaction with others helps develop a solid support system, which in turn protects against stress and anxiety.
In addition to the happiness effect, the act of volunteering has multiple mental and physical health benefits. Volunteering can provide a healthy boost to self-confidence and life satisfaction. In doing good for others and the community it makes a person feel better about themselves and more likely to have a positive view of life and future goals. Having regular activities with other people also prevents social isolation which is a key risk factor in the development of depression.
Volunteering is a fun and easy way to explore your interests and develop new ones. Doing volunteer work that you find meaningful and interesting can be relaxing and an energizing escape from your day-to-day routine. You will have a richer and more enjoyable experience if you take some time to identify what you enjoy doing and are capable of doing. A good match benefits both the volunteer and the organization, and you don’t have to limit yourself to one organization.
“At Hospice Services of Lake County there are many volunteer opportunities. Our volunteers donate their valuable time making it possible to hold family bereavement camps and bereavement groups that benefit the community” states Volunteer Coordinator Terry Phelps. “Right now we have a critical need for thrift store volunteers. Our thrift store volunteers help process donations, stock shelves and make change at the cash register. “The staff at Hospice values and appreciates its volunteers”. If you know someone who is retired and happy, chances are he or she is a volunteer. Thank them. They deserve it. To learn how you can volunteer at Hospice Services of Lake County, call 707-263-7210 Ext. 136 or email tphelps@lakecountyhospice.org.
