Why Volunteering is Great to Turn to When Your Kids Move Out |
Posted: September 27, 2017 |
Your greatest achievement in life- your child- has recently moved out. As the days drag on, you realize that during the 18+ years you spend working hard to raise them, you hardly have any thought to what to do afterwards. For many, getting a job is not feasible and unnecessary; instead, they opt to volunteer in their community. Time and time again research studies have shown that there are tangible positive reasons for engaging in altruistic activities. The first is that doing something for the good for others releases endorphins that can fight depression. This is called the “helper’s high.” Similarly, one of the biggest challenges that older parents face is declining health. Volunteering offers a great (and free) way to get out into the community and exercise. According to Psychology Today Those who volunteer often feel more satisfied with their lives and are more likely to feel grateful for what they have. In short, volunteering is a great way to take a break from personal problems and improve the world one act of kindness at a time. For more information click here. For those who dream of travelling now that they have the time, there are many organizations who will provide room and board in a different country for months at a time in exchange for volunteer work. This is a great and cheap way to travel the world and see practically anywhere. Many countries have their own nation-wide volunteer services that can provide you with the opportunity to travel within your own country. For example, the American Peace Corps recruits and utilizes volunteers within the US, allowing them to choose where they want to go. They offer administrative and leadership jobs based on experience- so for those worrying about the physical challenges of joining an organization such as this, there are many options that don’t involve heavy labor. The long and short of it is that the need for volunteers exists across the world. But sometimes, the place that needs the most help is your local community. Simply typing “senior activities near me” in the search engine will bring up numerous opportunities to volunteer locally. Older volunteers are highly valued for their life experience, problem-solving capabilities, and leadership skills that younger volunteers often lack. Many have varied skill sets that require years of practice which they can bring to the table. Additionally, older volunteers are often more cognizant of the types of needs that exist within the community they have been living in for years. Not only that, but many outreach programs work with abused men, women, and children, as well as the homeless, those in abject poverty, and with minority populations. Older volunteer bring emotional intelligence that is hard to match to directly connect with those who need help, and often can be voices of reason and wisdom. Yet there are a few dangers to volunteering. Make sure you are very selective about the organization you choose to volunteer for. Make sure you are comfortable with the way they are using donated money, the way they are treating those who are helping, and that you agree with all their policies. For example, some organizations will refuse to help those who have done things that are against their policies or affiliated religion, and sometimes their families as well. Make sure to read through the rules to make sure you agree with everything. The second thing is to look for transparency within the organization and that you can follow the flow of donated money with little effort. Exceptions include organizations that require some privacy, like abuse shelters. Additionally, volunteer in moderation. It may be extremely tempting to treat your volunteering like a 40 hr. a week job, but for many, it can lead to emotional and physical exhaustion called burnout. Limit your weekly volunteering to a level that does not interfere with other activities or your emotional well-being. A great option to fill the empty time that parents find they have when their children move out is volunteering. While it is important to be aware of the money and behavioral policies of different volunteer organizations, and to take steps to avoid burnout, volunteering can be a fulfilling and healthy way to spend your time, with physical and psychological benefits.
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