30 Jun Volunteering while Grieving
Should You Become a Volunteer While Grieving?
By Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer
When you give of yourself, even from a place of pain and grief, more comes back to you—satisfaction, accomplishment, and joy. Being a volunteer is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and wellness while grieving.
While it’s not always easy to find ways to step out and help someone, volunteering can help you cope with grief. You find it filling empty places and time while bringing smiles to your face as you bring smiles to others.
Volunteer work can enlarge your social circle and eliminate the temptation to stay in constant solitude. Studies show that being part of a group effort boosts self-confidence and reduces stress levels, helping with depression and anxiety.
But, while your heart may be set to serve, overtaxing yourself as a volunteer is a real concern, and most especially when you’re grieving.
Keep these considerations in mind when choosing your volunteer project:
Find a volunteer opportunity that fits your emotional state.
One hurdle to becoming a volunteer is finding the right fit for where you are in your grief journey. You may want to volunteer for something closely related to your loved one. If they passed from cancer, then participating in cancer organizations or supporting those who are going through a similar battle by volunteering at hospitals might be the right avenue for you.
The exact opposite might be true.
It could be better if you picked something unrelated to your loved one’s situation if the reminders are too traumatic for where you are right now. Know when to take a step back. Not every opportunity is the right one.
A third option is volunteering for something your loved one was passionate about. Did they love to read? Become a volunteer at your local library. Were they a fishing enthusiast? Find a youth fishing event where you can serve. Devoted to their faith? There are always needs within churches that extend to the community. A veteran? Volunteer annually at your community’s Memorial and Veteran Day services.
Assess your own heart and mind to determine where you belong. That will most benefit you and those you serve.
Go at your own pace.
Choose a volunteer opportunity that matches your current energy level to keep a comfortable pace for this season of your life.
Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. Physical exertion can do wonders to lift the fog cloaking your spirit and give you a sense of well-being.
Now, you may be tempted to throw yourself full force into serving others. But remember to continue taking care of your own health and needs while serving others.
Keeping yourself balanced keeps you in the best position to help when you’re called on.
If you feel you’re ready to step out as a volunteer, it’s time to find a good fit. Here are six tips for finding the right volunteer opportunity:
- Search the internet. You can use a phrase like “volunteer opportunities in [insert your city or county name].”
- Check with local churches. Several have community outreach programs you can join in with or donate to.
- Watch your local news headlines. Sporting events, county fairs, food pantries, holiday events, festivals. Your community likely has a plethora of activities in need of a good heart and willing hands.
- Ask around. Check with your friends on what they are doing to volunteer. Post on social media for suggestions on how you can serve in your area.
- Search the internet for volunteer positions that involve travel.
Volunteering can get you out of your home and even out of your state or country! Tackling regional, national, and worldwide volunteer opportunities gives you a chance to see new places and fill the needs of others.
Vacations can certainly be beneficial while grieving, but volunteer travel gives you structure. It puts your hands and heart to good use while you see new sites and experience different cultures.
- Start your own charitable endeavor.
Some of the greatest work in communities are birthed by individuals from their own pain and loss.
Consider your talents and passions. You may find that stepping out to start your own charitable work is what your soul needs. Hosting a fundraising event for a local charity is an amazing way to lead others into service work, and for you to see your volunteer efforts multiplied.
Volunteering While Grieving
If you approach volunteer work with a mindset of dedicated effort anchored by ample breaks and breathing space, you might find yourself doing the most rewarding work of your life.
If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity right now, please visit our volunteer page to learn more about the wonderful ways you can serve others through Home Hospice: www.homehospice.org/volunteer-programs
