“At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished… it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” ― Denzel Washington
The last 20 months have seen a marked increase in the importance of mental health and mindfulness in the workplace. We’ve all faced some form of disruption to our daily lives, especially from a social perspective, which of course can lead to some unintended, unsavory consequences to our mental health. In a recent poll 40% of Americans admitted they had experienced new or increased anxiety or depression-type symptoms.
Without a doubt, one of the easiest ways to course-correct your mental state is through giving back to your local community. Below, we’d like to provide a case for the value of giving back and some practical options of how to get started.
Realistically, the primary reason why you give back is to ease a burden or enhance the life of others; but the benefits extend to the giver, as well. So much so, the American Psychological Associated published a report stating that giving can extend your lifespan. Giving back has also been linked to reduced blood pressure, lower cortisol/stress, and increased life satisfaction and fulfillment, as mentioned in a 2006 study by Rachel Piferi of Johns Hopkins University and Kathleen Lawler of the University of Tennessee. It’s worth considering how much different your life would look if you were consistently less stressed and more grateful. Regularly giving back to those around you could lead to a positive ripple effect in ways you never expect.
On a micro-scale, we can more easily pinpoint how our lives are different due to the pandemic. Still, it’s also worth considering from a macro-scale how the lives of local families and non-profits who support those families are affected as well. Many non-profits went into this pandemic with little too no reserve funds; now months later ensuring their financial viability is even more challenging. Some of these organizations exist solely to support the financial or mental well-being of those within the community. How can you help? Volunteering your time or organize a fundraiser for a cause close to your heart is something we can’t recommend highly enough.
”People who donate money to charity are happier in poor and rich countries alike…You don’t have to have a lot to experience the emotional benefits of giving.” - Elizabeth Dunn, Professor of Psychology, UBC.
Thankfully, we have three activities which are perfect for giving back to a cause that matters to you and your organization, while simultaneously building a stronger more dynamic team: Impact Online (virtual), Win it in a Minute (hybrid), and Building a Dream (in-person). Whether you have a personal affinity to a non-profit in your area, want to raise funds to research a specific disease, or know someone who could use a helping hand, all you have to do is commit to a cause and let us handle the rest.
