Goodwill Toward Men

One of the best ways to deal with the stress of the holidays is to volunteer or show appreciation for others. It may seem counterintuitive to think that doing more might help alleviate stress after our encouragement to say “no” and not overdo it. But when it comes to serving others, the more we do, the more we get in return. We should not be working harder at the holidays, but we should be working smarter and prioritizing the things that are the most important for our wellbeing. Serving our fellowman has been shown to have both physical and mental benefits. These benefits can be as concrete as lower blood pressure or less depression both of which are holiday risk factors for everyone. This is as true for individuals with disabilities as it is for individuals without disabilities. The individuals Ability Matter’s serves reap the benefits of volunteering all year long, but families and caregivers can benefit from volunteering as well. No matter what our skill level, socioeconomic level or availability, we all have something to give. Our self-esteem is increased when we remember what we have that can help others. The antidote to comparing ourselves with others is to remember that while there may be many people with more than we have, there are many people with less as well. In the giving of our time and skills, we receive goodwill and feelings of contentment that can help make the holidays more meaningful and enjoyable for all of us. We all have the Ability to Matter in our community. Below are some resources that have helped us find the perfect volunteer opportunities for everyone:

JustServe.org

Besa.org

Volunteermatch.org