April is National Volunteer Month

April is National Volunteer Month
Metro Creative Solutions | April 2026

In our high-tech society, the flood of negative information can seem like it’s coming at us from a firehose, causing fear and anxiety about the future of our city, state, country, and even the world at large. And yet, positive things are happening every day. To see this one needs to look no further than their own community to find people graciously giving their time and resources to make their corner of the world a better place. Volunteers recognize that happiness comes from giving, not receiving. If you’re looking for a mental pick-me-up, consider finding an organization that fits a cause close to your heart. In the process, you’ll discover it just might boost both your mental and physical health.

In a Mayo Clinic Health System blog, Angela Thoreson, licensed independent clinical social worker, Psychiatry & Psychology, shared the following benefits of volunteering.

• Volunteering increases social interaction and helps build a support system. One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to participate in a shared activity. Social circles can shrink in retirement so building or expanding networks can be especially important during this phase of your neighbor’s life. Older volunteers experience greater increases in life satisfaction and self-esteem.
• Volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, especially for people age 65 and older.
• It reduces stress and increases positive, relaxed feelings by releasing dopamine in the brain. By spending time in service to others, volunteers report feeling a sense of meaning and appreciation.
• Reduced stress further decreases the risk of some physical and mental health problems, including heart disease, stroke, depression, anxiety and general illness. In addition, people who volunteer have lower mortality rates than those who do not.