Volunteering Helps Self-Esteem in Adolescents

If you want to feel better about yourself, you should start by helping someone else, according to a recent study. Researchers found that adolescents who perform acts of kindness (big and small) get a boost to their self-worth. And if you’re helping a stranger, the benefits can last up to a year later. The study, published in December in the Journal of Adolescence, surveyed nearly 700 adolescents.

"Surprisingly, teens who helped friends and family members did not report the same emotional change," said Dr. Laura Padilla-Walker, a psychology professor at Brigham Young University and one of the study's researcher, in a statement. "Helping a stranger is more challenging than assisting a friend, and when teens take this risk, they feel more competent.”

Volunteering and Your Recovery

We’ve talked about how volunteering can help your recovery in the past. To recap, volunteering is a great way to mitigate any negative feelings you may have about yourself and to gain the confidence you’ll need to deal with the ups and downs of sobriety. Here are a few more ways acts of altruism can help you stay sober: 

• You’ll occupy your time. Especially in early recovery, healthy distractions can prevent you from daydreaming about using again.
• You’ll build relationships: Volunteering is a great way to expand your social network with like-minded people with similar interests and goals.
• You’ll improve your resume: Volunteering teaches you some essential job skills, including project management and sales. Plus, it’s great for networking.

Job Prep at Hope Academy

At Hope Academy, we provide practical, real-world guidance for clients who have completed college or are already pursuing a professional or vocational career. To learn more, call today: 866-930-4673.

Why You Should Start Volunteering

Volunteering can certainly boost your mood – think about how great it feels to help someone else – and now new research shows that it can decrease your risk of addiction. College female student-athletes who volunteer in their communities and engage in helping behaviors are less likely to partake in dangerous alcohol and marijuana use, according to a social scientist from the University of Missouri.

“Female student-athletes experience increased demands while in college from coaches and professors to family and friends," said Alexandra Davis, one of the study leads. "Because student-athletes occupy multiple roles simultaneously, they could be at an increased risk substance abuse to cope with stress. Our findings suggest that community service might be a tool to reduce substance abuse among female student-athletes.”

3 More Reasons to Volunteer
If you’re already on the path toward sobriety, volunteering can be good for your recovery, too. Here’s how:

• You’ll boost your self-worth. Many people in recovery struggle with self-confidence as they reconcile any past behaviors or decisions that occurred during active addiction. Volunteering can help you move past these feelings so you can start feeling good about you again.
• You’ll boost your social circle. Finding like-minded, positive friends who will support you is more important than ever right now – and volunteering can help you do just that.
• You’ll boost your resume. Future employees will be impressed by your willingness to make a commitment and help others. In addition, volunteering can help you develop project management (organizing events or fundraisers) or sales (soliciting people for donations) skills.

Job Prep at Hope Academy
It’s pretty common to feel overwhelmed when it comes to finding or beginning a new job – and we’re here to help. At Hope Academy, we provide practical, real-world guidance for clients who have completed college or are already pursuing a professional or vocational career. To learn more, call today: 866-930-4673.