By Matthew Leger / Herald Forum
We all know exercise is good for us; we also know it’s very hard to start, so hard that every January, millions promise to work out more: three days a week, five days a week, some even say they will make the time to go every single day.
Then, in two to three weeks, 90 percent of us who made our promise of going to the gym don’t return till next year. Granted, some follow through with their promises, taking pride in their commitment, and enjoying the benefits of a healthier, happier and longer life. Gym-goers will tell you how much they enjoy their workouts and how much it has benefited their lives.
Well I still don’t go to the gym so I’ll save that for later. But, I do volunteer. So, instead of me telling you how much working out has changed my life, did you know that volunteering can do the same thing?
In light of the numerous benefits that volunteering brings to both individuals and communities, it’s clear that the act of giving back is not just a selfless act for the betterment of society. According to studies from Carnegie Mellon, Oxford and Harvard, volunteers show lower blood pressure, higher happiness levels, lower anxiety, and lengthened life spans compared to their non-volunteering counterparts. This is a result of getting up and moving, fostering social connection, and a sense of purpose apart from their own lives that helps those around them.
Last December was the season of giving, a time when we come together to support our community and give back. This season of giving has always been a time of joy and a time to help the people in our community who need help. But why would helping others have to be only. a season-long event? Why would we pass up on an opportunity to increase our mental and physical well being while improving the world around us?
Volunteering, just like hitting the weights, is seen as a sacrifice of time and money, but it simply isn’t. Sure, it is a use of time, but so is watching Netflix, which costs more than volunteering at a food bank by the way, and most importantly, this use of time — picking up trash, helping a neighbor, feeding the needy, walking shelter dogs, anything that helps — provides a better life for you, your community, and some times, the furry friends around you.
This year, even if a little belated, let’s make volunteering a part of our 2024 promise, and let’s try our best to keep that promise, even if that means we’ll have to work out a little less this year. I know I’m OK with that sacrifice.
Matthew Leger is a junior at Kamiak High School in Mukilteo.
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