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:
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.
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.
