When we came up with the idea for a blood drive in early 2021, we surprised a few folks. Who ever heard of donating blood at a vineyard? However, if you know us and our philosophy of strengthening our roots in the community around us, it makes sense.FIND OUT ABOUT UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS AT Z&M
As a veteran-owned business, we know a thing or two about selfless service. We’ve seen firsthand what a difference it makes when people show up for each other.
At Z&M, we think wine is an important part of a life well-lived. But it’s more of an enhancement to the other things that make life worth living. Savoring a good glass of wine alone can be nice, but in our view, it’s better with friends and neighbors.
That’s why we’re committed to doing our part to improve the lives of our friends and neighbors, which is how the blood drive idea was born.
Now, we get that not everybody’s into needles. But that shouldn’t stop you from finding a way to make a difference!
Still not convinced? That’s understandable. We’re all busy and it can be hard to find the time and energy to volunteer or help out in the community.
Here’s our list of the top 8 benefits of volunteering!
- Decreased risk of depression.
According to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, volunteering helps you make social connections and develop a support system with other people who share your interests. These are both factors linked to decreasing your risk of depression, especially if you’re 65 or older!
- Reduced stress levels.
In some cases, enhanced social networks can lessen the effects of stress, which can in turn reduce your risk for other health problems. Additionally, you can worry less about stress when you are serving others, which many notice increases their sense of meaning and gratitude.
- Learn new skills or practice existing ones
Experience a new sense of purpose as you learn and practice new skills. By helping organizations with their everyday operations, they become a crucial part of a community by exercising their skills and talents – or even picking up some new ones!
This can be especially helpful if you’re looking to boost a resume. Employers may like to see that you’ve remained busy while developing your skill set in your free time.
If you’re volunteering in a field or area where you are interested in working professionally, you can gain valuable real-life insight. This will come in handy as you discern where this is the right career for you, or when writing personal essays and cover letters for job or school applications!
- Stay physically and mentally active.
This is one of the key benefits of volunteering that you shouldn’t overlook. Especially in volunteers over the age of 60, research has shown improved physical and mental health improvements, coupled with greater overall satisfaction with their lives and wellbeing. More generally, people who volunteer seem to often enjoy better physical health than their non-volunteer counterparts.
- Potentially improve your longevity?
Now, volunteering may not necessarily be a guaranteed fountain of youth. However, the Longitudinal Study of Aging found lower mortality rates among people who volunteered. This finding was regardless of age, gender, or their overall physical health. That includes reduced incidents of heart disease.
Moreover, study participants who had serious or chronic illnesses reported reduced depression and pain intensity.
How much should you volunteer?
To reap these benefits, however, you need to show up and put in the time. Thankfully, if you have a busy schedule, or if you are looking for volunteer hours for school or some other organization, you don’t need a ton!
For the positive effects of volunteering described above, research suggests you only need to give 1-2 hours a week. That comes to about 100 hours a year, although lower estimates suggest you only need 40.
Want to really maximize those longevity benefits? The research indicates older adults need to volunteer their time at two or more organizations to potentially lower their risk of mortality.
Finding the right volunteer job for you
If you’re sold on the physical and emotional benefits of volunteering, good for you! You may be wondering how exactly to get started.
Here are a few ways to break down your options to consider where to get started:
- Venue: Theaters, museums, parks, zoos, and conservation areas, historical buildings or monuments, libraries
- Clubs, civic organizations, and religious houses: churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, or Rotary Clubs, Boy & Girl Scouts, VFW, etc.
- Age: youth groups/service organizations/sports or senior centers
- Service: animal rescue, homeless shelter, food bank
Other ways to discern where you should volunteer include thinking about what kind of change or difference you’d like to see:
- Do you want to improve your neighborhood, town, or state?
- Meet new people, see new places, or try something new?
- Improve skills or get better at a hobby or interest?
- Learn about a potential career or profession?
Once you’ve gotten started, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself if something isn’t a good fit and ask questions. Most importantly, you’re there to do something rewarding, so make sure whatever you’re doing is filling you up rather than depleting you!
Z&M gives back, and so can you!
Whether it’s our blood drive during a pandemic, or the time we gave away free fish sandwich dinners to our community in Leavenworth, we love showing appreciation to the community that’s given so much to us!
We’re all about gratitude here. If that sounds like you, we’d love for you to come by and say hi! Check out one of our fun community-focused events, or simply stop by for a tasting.SEE OUR HOURS IN LEAVENWORTH & LAWRENCE, KS
Sources:
https://www.nationalservice.gov/pdf/07_0506_hbr.pdf
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/helping-people-changing-lives-the-6-health-benefits-of-volunteering
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/volunteering-and-its-surprising-benefits.htm#:~:text=How%20much%20time%20should%20you,you%20and%20your%20chosen%20cause.