Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community. But mental health experts say it’s also a good way to perform self-care.
Dr. Nevine Sultan of the University of St. Thomas – Houston, speaks with Houston How To about how doing altruistic works can help a person improve their mental health and stave off feelings of isolation by building relationships.
“These are things that are motivating for us,” Sultan said. “They help us feel connected. They help us feel good. They help us really to engage with our social capacities, which are very different from other animals and creatures who live in our world.”
So next time you go out to volunteer to read to elementary school kids, consider what’s driving you to do it.
Got questions or suggestions on how to live smarter in Houston? Email us at gwendolyn.wu@chron.com.
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