Rediscover your awesomeness this December with a FREE wellbeing workshop from Wellbeing Republic
It's almost time to dig out the reindeer jumper and dust off your party shoes ahead of the festive season. It is also the time of year synonymous with giving something back.
For us it is a great excuse to bolster our community wellbeing, by giving up our time to inspire others, whilst raising money for a great cause. That's why we're offering to run a number of free workshops this December for organisations big and small, in return not for a fee, but for a donation to our fundraising page which we have set up in aid of this year's Children in Need.
You can find out more details here: www.wellbeingrepublic.com/festivephilanthropy
Community Wellbeing isn't just for Christmas...
Although it is somewhat early to be talking about the festive season, it's never too early to be thinking of how to maximise our community wellbeing. It's all too easy to get caught up in what we do, and forget to take the time to give back to the various communities which we are a part of; such as friends, family, work, social groups, as well as our local neighbourhood.
However, in a society where there is a real risk that material goods will soon trump the experiences shared with the ones we love, and where sitting down at a table for dinner is the exception rather than the norm, it's more important that ever to remember to take a step back and appreciate what we do have and make a concerted effort to invest in those things we do cherish, before they disappear as a result of neglect. After all, a community only exists whilst there are people there to invest in it. A good example might be a friendship group which you may have let slip over time, because you simply didn't have the time.
Giving back isn't necessarily about giving someone a gift or even donating money to charity. Giving back doesn't have to cost money. In fact, volunteering for something that (or someone who) means something to you is a great way to bolster your wellbeing. It could involve volunteering at a local charity, offering to help a friend move house, taking on a pro-bono position as a school governor... the possibilities are endless.
From a purely selfish perspective, it's actually scientifically proven to bolster your sense of wellbeing, as you release feel good chemicals, which activate regions of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust. It may also help you live longer! A 1999 study led by the University of California, Berkeley, found that elderly people who volunteered for two or more organisations were 44 percent less likely to die over a five-year period than those who didn't, even after controlling for their age, exercise habits, general health, and negative health habits like smoking. It's likely that the results were also influenced by the social connections they formed and the sense of purpose volunteering provided them with, compared to those that didn't volunteer. Social connectivity and a sense of purpose are fundamental to our overall levels of wellbeing, but now we're deviating off point - that's one for another time.
Essentially, giving back isn't something you should only do once or twice a year for a religious/non-religious festival and/or a birthday, it is something you should incorporate into every day life. You could start by giving someone praise for a job well done. Not only will it boost their wellbeing, but you'll feel good for doing so.