Have you ever noticed you feel happier after helping someone else? Volunteering isn’t just great for the people you support, and it can bring you happiness too.
Volunteering means that you give your time, energy or skills to help others but don’t expect others to give you anything back. There are more than one billion volunteers helping others all over the world, and there are lots of ways you can join them, including raising money for charity, helping in your local community,or even carrying a neighbour’s shopping goods home.
According to Susan Albers, a psychologist, volunteering can reduce stress and make you feel better about your life. This is because being kind and doing things for other people activates (激活) the reward part of the brain and releases (释放) feel good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. Albers says that volunteering has other benefits (益处) too, such as feeling part of a community, making friends and learning skills.
There are lots of ways you can volunteer. Albers recommends finding something that is meaningful to you. If you love sports, say, then ask if your club needs help like coaching younger players. If you’re passionate about protecting the environment, organize a litter pick or beach clean. You could also ask at your local library, community center or school for volunteering opportunities (机会). Before you start, remember to make sure you check with your parents. What’s more, Albers says volunteering is an activity that everyone can do. You needn’t have a lot of skills or spend much time.”
Title: Volunteering
| What is volunteering? | It means giving your time, energy or skills to help others without expecting anything in |
| Why is volunteering good for us? | > Because it helps us > Because it helps us not feel |
| How can we volunteer? | > Find something meaningful to us. > Look for volunteering opportunities. > Make sure our parents |
| Everyone can volunteer because it’s not | |
