Volunteering Helps You Feel Better

This Monday not only celebrates the accomplishments of Martin Luther King, but also encourages service. Helping others will actually make you feel better. Studies show that when people donate to charity or serve others the portion of the brain that is responsible for feelings of reward are trigged. The brain actually releases chemicals which cause us to feel better.

Another interesting finding is that people who volunteer have a higher self-esteem and overall feeling of well-being. This seems to be because of social connectedness increases which increases your self-esteem.

There are a lot of opportunities to serve and volunteer in the Vancouver, WA area.

Check out the City of Vancouver’s website for service opportunities in the following departments.

• Police Department
• Fire Department
• Parks and Recreation
• Neighborhood Associations
• Urban Forestry
• Water Resources Education Center
• Boards and Commissions
• Adopt-a-park

VolunteerMatch.org has hundreds of volunteer opportunities.

So if you are looking for more happiness in your life, consider finding an opportunity to serve.