Benefits of Giving Back To Your Community

When you do good, you feel good. People of all ages enjoy the feeling of being a contributing member of society, a team or charity. This propels us to participate in activities that we are excited about and support our local communities that we serve. Not only does it feel good to know that you’re doing a good deed, but it also has a plethora of benefits to a person’s physical and mental health.

Promotes Physical Activity

According to a study referenced by ScienceDaily, volunteering your time is linked to health benefits like an increase in physical activity. It is important to sustain physical activity, but can be even more vital as we get older. As we age, the decrease in strength and stamina arises and is somewhat tied to a decrease in physical activities. With this in mind, any type of activity can be beneficial to the health of older adults. Anything from helping with a local sports team to volunteering for a local charity will assist you in maintaining a healthy lifestyle as you age. It really does pay to give back.

Helps Prevent Isolation & Depression

For some, the holiday season is full of joy and happiness spent with family and friends. Others may experience symptoms of holiday stress and depression from: unrealistic expectations, financial pressures, and excessive commitments. Loneliness and depression are some of the most common issues that senior citizens face, especially when transitioning to different healthcare environments. Participating in volunteer programs that encourage teamwork among many different groups of people is a great way for older adults to interact with people around them. By volunteering your time this holiday season, it can help you stay engaged and mentally active. Participating in group activities provides seniors a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

Bridges Generation Gaps

Our elders are chock full of wisdom and have many stories that can help enlighten our lives, clarify concerns and encourage self worth. When seniors engage with the younger generations they are able to share important life lessons. Not to mention, the younger generation can in-return teach older adults about the new trends and ways of looking at life. We tend to look over the fact that the older generation paved the way for us, which is why it is important to give back to the communities we serve and recognize the value of our seniors.

At Spring Hills Senior Communities, we understand the benefits of giving back and how it a simple good deed can turn into a healthy activity that can be enjoyed year-round. Our Director of Recreational Services, Cindi Mcbarron, explains that, “We really enjoy spending time with our seniors and make a special effort to give back during the holiday season. Not to mention, we make sure to encourage their family members to include them in their celebrations as well as interact with them year round to combat these feelings of holiday depression.”  Remember to give back this holiday season to those who were here before you. It is not only good for those in need, but it is good for you, too.