After working most of your life and raising your family, mature adulthood is the time to relax, explore the world, and try out new things. However, with more free time on your hands, it could eventually start taking a toll on your mental and emotional health. In this article, we will explore the top 5 reasons you should consider volunteering and some great places in El Paso you can sign up to start volunteering today. 

Whether you have been enjoying retired life for a while now or are newly retired, volunteering can be a great way to spend your time. Here are the five benefits of volunteering beyond 60:

1. Enhances and Maintains Mental Sharpness

Volunteering has been found to greatly improve the self-esteem levels and quality of life of everyone, particularly older adults. Just a few hours of volunteering every week can positively impact your mind. The social aspect that comes with volunteer work is crucial as we get older as it reduces the risk of isolation, depression and mental decline.

Taking part in something meaningful, like the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) hosted by the City of El Paso keeps the brain active. This program helps you utilize the skills and experience you gained all these years by identifying problems in the community and finding solutions.

2. Offers Opportunity to Make Friends

Volunteering is a great way to build social connections. As we grow older, isolation can put a strain on our mental health. You meet multiple people of varying interests and age groups through volunteer work. This gives you a chance to connect with new people and build lasting friendships. 

One of the best benefits of volunteering is the intergenerational bonds created in the form of mentee and mentor. In most cases, older and younger individuals have different social worlds, but this generational gap is eliminated in volunteering opportunities. 

3. Provides a Sense of Purpose

Retirement brings plenty of advantages, but it could also result in a loss of purpose, particularly for business owners and professionals when there are no more work responsibilities. Volunteering can give you a sense of purpose that can positively impact your mental and physical health. 

It can also enhance overall life satisfaction for many retirees. One of the best volunteering opportunities in El Paso for retired business owners and professionals is SCORE, in which retired business owners and business professionals are matched with entrepreneurs to help them attain their business goals.  

4. Promotes Physical Activity

Volunteering keeps us physically active, which benefits overall health. From organizing books in a library to walking dogs at an animal shelter, it encourages us to stay more active. It is a great way to maintain your physical fitness while also helping others. 

5. Enhances Connection and Eliminates Loneliness 

Volunteering allows you to make lasting connections while also maintaining the existing ones. It reduces the sense of loneliness by connecting you with newer people and interesting opportunities. Volunteering can be a great way to explore new experiences and enhance your life.

The Foster Grandparent Program hosted by the City of El Paso connects seniors who become foster grandparents to school-aged and preschool children. It allows you to mentor little minds by providing companionship and guidance in a supervised setting. 

Wrapping Up 

Volunteering is a great way to enhance your mental and physical well-being while giving back to your community. It gives you the satisfaction of making a difference in people's lives and becoming a big part of the community's progress. 

For more information about the volunteer opportunities in this article call the numbers below:

Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of El Paso: (915) 212-1676 or (915) 212-1684

SCORE El Paso: (915) 212-1677