When I started volunteering on a regular basis, I felt like my life truly had made a transformation. I had volunteered in the past for Christmas and Thanksgiving, usually serving food to homeless people. Many people will only think of volunteering during the holidays and while that’s totally awesome, the need for volunteers is year round and not only in poverty ridden areas.

You would be amazed how many opportunities there really are just in your area alone. If you are interested in mission trips, there are an abundance of opportunities worldwide. But guess what? There is some mission work available right in your backyard. With a little research, the opportunities can easily be found.

Although it doesn’t seem like much, I dedicate at least three hours a week to volunteering in my local community. One thing I do is volunteer my expertise as a chiropractor performing examinations and consultations for a local church that serves low income families. I actually created this opportunity for myself when I approached the pastor of the church and explained to her what I wanted to do. She thought it was a great idea and now I do it twice a month.

My point is that even if there is nothing that you feel suits your needs, use your expertise (health provider, accountant, handyman, sports coach, knitting, blowing up balloons into animal shapes, etc.) and create a volunteering opportunity yourself!

Volunteering is a wonderful, selfless way to help those in need. Someone experiencing misfortune may have nowhere else to turn, and with your time and efforts, you can be there to help. What a blessing you could be, and you can make a difference in their life.

How about the difference it can make in your life? It turns out that volunteering will enhance and benefit your life as well.

Volunteering makes you feel great in that you are able to aid someone in need, but there are other advantages. There are many benefits that could help you in your profession, and help further your career. You can learn and develop new skills, discover talents you did not know you had, and even teach your skills to others. You can gain work experience and add it to your resume, and make networking contacts.

Some skills can translate into your personal life: for example learning how to repair something in your home or improving your organizational skills.

Your self esteem and confidence will be boosted from how you will be valued and needed when you volunteer. It has been proven that your health could improve from doing such a positive thing.

In fact, recent studies have amazingly shown that when a person does something for someone else, their serotonin levels increase. Of course, low serotonin levels in the body have been strongly linked to depression and other mood disorders in the body. Interestingly enough, the person’s serotonin levels who you are helping out, also increase. Want more? When a bystander witnesses a good deed, their serotonin levels have been shown to increase as well! Amazing!

When the ones you help observe what a constructive thing volunteering is in your life, you can be an inspiration to women and men, motivating them to want to help out and volunteer, too.