It’s a scary thought, but the holidays are right around the corner. That means the season for volunteering is upon us. It’s the one time a year when many people decide to “give back” to their community and suddenly sign up to serve meals at the local soup kitchen.

But did you know there’s a reason you might want to consider volunteering on a regular basis?

Well, think about it. You can’t hardly pick up a magazine or go online these days without coming face-to-face with an article addressing ways to improve your health. From better ways to eat, to easy ways to exercise, we are constantly bombarded with specific ways to change our lifestyles so that we will live longer and fuller lives.

But here’s a news flash: It has been proven that volunteering is also good for your health.

What? You mean there’s a way to improve my health without cutting out chocolate?

According to a report from the Corporation for National and Community Services, “those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression than those who do not volunteer.”

Who knew?

But consider what volunteering is all about. After all, you’re giving your time, talent, or expertise to organizations and people who desperately need them. And you’re doing it willingly and unselfishly.

Studies have shown that volunteering has numerous side benefits. For instance, it gives the individual a sense of purpose and helps to validate their sense of worth.

Volunteering helps individuals make new friends and connects them with their community. For some, it even provides a social network, which can help to support them during their own difficult times. For retired people, this is especially important so they avoid becoming isolated.

It can even help to lift depression, especially for adults age 65 and older, because they are focusing their attention on the needs of someone else.

Older volunteers seem to reap the psycho-social benefits more than their younger counterparts. That could be because younger people often volunteer only when it’s mandatory or from a feeling of obligation. But even for them, some of the more obvious benefits include teaching new skills and building a resume. In this way, serving as a volunteer can actually help them achieve their own set of goals and feelings of accomplishment.

But there’s good news for the younger volunteer, too. Studies have shown that people who consistently volunteer at a younger age will be less likely to suffer ill health as they grow older. For instance, volunteering just 40 hours a year could have a positive effect on one’s long-term health. It can even make you happy.

Happy? Really?

So why don’t more people volunteer?

Most people say they don’t have the time. But perhaps if they knew that volunteers are generally happier, they might make the time.

In our own community, there are countless ways to volunteer.

Do you like kids? Consider mentoring a struggling child through Communities in Schools of Renton, or help Birthday Dreams stage birthday parties for children living in shelters.

Want to help the homeless? What about sorting clothes at the Renton Kiwanis Clothes Bank, or helping to serve a meal to the homeless men in the A.R.I.S.E. program?

Would you rather be outdoors? You can take a disabled child fishing through C.A.S.T for Kids, help with the local Special Olympics, or help to restore outdoor habitats through the Friends of the Cedar River Watershed.

If you’re a young professional and don’t know how to get involved, join The Next Curve. They meet monthly to socialize and learn how to give back to the community.

We all know that the Pharrell Williams song, “Happy” has gone viral. There have been videos made of everyone from seniors, to elementary school children, to dogs dancing to it.

Maybe it’s time to make a video of a group of volunteers dancing and singing, “Because I’m happy – Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do.”

After all, volunteering can make you happy.