How Giving Back Can Boost Your Mood and the Health of Our Planet
Spring is a time of renewal, reflection, and reconnection. This can happen within ourselves, but also between us and the world around us. As we approach Earth Day on April 22, it’s a perfect time to explore how acts of service and sustainability contribute not only to environmental health, but also to personal well-being. The mental and emotional benefits of volunteering are well-documented, and by choosing service activities that support sustainability, you can enhance both your emotional resilience and the planet’s longevity. Volunteering benefits all of us.
The Science Behind Volunteering and Mental Wellness
Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that volunteering can have profound positive effects on balancing mood. According to research published in BMC Public Health, individuals who engage in volunteer activities report positive mood changes, increased life satisfaction, and a greater sense of purpose [1].
Another study in JAMA Pediatrics found that adolescents who volunteered had lower rates of tension and worry, children’s behavior improved, and all had higher self-esteem compared to their non-volunteering peers [2]. This is great evidence to support including your kids when you choose a cause to get involve yourself in.
Scientifically speaking, humans are wired to work well in community. Engaging in acts of service stimulates the release of dopamine and oxytocin, both are neurotransmitters associated with happiness and social bonding [3]. Volunteering can also help to balance cortisol levels, helping to manage stress and tension [4].
For those on a mental health journey, these physiological changes can contribute to improved mood stability, increased social connectivity, and a greater sense of fulfillment.
Earth Day: A Call to Serve for the Planet and Your Well-Being
We celebrate Earth Day annually on April 22, as a global movement dedicated to environmental protection. This day serves as a powerful reminder of how small, individual efforts can lead to large-scale change.
Interestingly, research has shown that sustainable behaviors—such as reducing waste, engaging in conservation efforts, or planting trees—can lead to better mental health outcomes. A 2021 study in Scientific Reports found that people who engage in eco-friendly behaviors report higher levels of life satisfaction and lower levels of stress [5].
How Volunteering for the Environment Benefits Mental Wellness
For those looking to improve their mood while contributing to the greater good, environmentally focused volunteer opportunities offer a dual benefit. Here are a few ways you can take action, and some organizations you can contact to get involved:
1. Community Clean-Ups
Removing litter from public spaces not only beautifies the environment but also provides an immediate sense of accomplishment. Studies show that exposure to nature improves mental clarity and reduces symptoms of a low or anxious mood [6].
Check out The Keep America Beautiful® Great American Cleanup.
2. Urban Gardening and Tree Planting
Gardening is a well-known therapeutic activity that has been linked to reduced stress and improved mood [7]. Volunteering at a community garden or participating in a tree-planting initiative can provide a hands-on way to nurture both the planet and your well-being.
Become a Planting Partner with the Arbor Day Foundation.
3. Supporting Local Sustainable Initiatives
Many organizations promote sustainable food sourcing, recycling programs, or conservation projects. Involving yourself with these efforts helps foster a sense of community, reinforcing the idea that your actions have a meaningful impact.
Contact your local food bank through Feeding America.
4. Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation
Caring for animals in shelters or wildlife rehabilitation centers provides emotional benefits such as reduced loneliness and increased empathy [8]. Protecting animal habitats supports broader ecological sustainability.
Volunteer at your local ASPCA, or become a Wildlife Rehabilitator with the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association.
Making Sustainable Choices for Mental Health
Beyond volunteering, making small sustainable choices in daily life can also support mental wellness. Recent research highlights that sustainable living—such as reducing consumption, walking instead of driving, or opting for eco-friendly products—enhances mindfulness and fosters a greater sense of control over one’s environment [9].
By integrating sustainable choices into your routine, you engage in actions that reinforce personal agency and self-efficacy, two key components of emotional resilience. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals managing stress, tension, or a low mood.
Conclusion: Give Back, Feel Better, and Protect the Planet
As we celebrate Earth Day this April, consider the many ways that sustainability and volunteering benefits your health. Whether through structured volunteer work, participating in community efforts, or making small daily sustainable choices, you can positively impact both your well-being and the environment.
If you are on a mental wellness journey, incorporating acts of service into your routine can provide a powerful sense of purpose and connection. The benefits of volunteering extend far beyond those you help. They come back to you in the form of improved mood, reduced stress, and a stronger sense of belonging. So, this Earth Day, take a step towards healing both yourself and the planet; because when we give, we grow.
References
- https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-017-4561-8
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2805381
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-45493-6_13
- https://academic.oup.com/psychsocgerontology/article/76/9/1893/5874573
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921800920300781#:~:text=Conclusion.%20Existing%20research%20has%20found%20pro%2Denvironmental%20behavior,shown%20to%20be%20positively%20related%20to%20well%2Dbeing
- https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/7/4015
- https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003355731-7/mental-health-outcomes-associated-gardening-selma-lunde-fjaestad-jessica-mackelprang-takemi-sugiyama-jonathan-kingsley
- https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/eco.2020.0038
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10896055/