Tips for Overcoming Loneliness By Volunteering

Tips for , Overcoming Loneliness , By Volunteering.

The holidays can be a tricky time of year for those with small social networks.

Experts say that an often-overlooked solution to loneliness is volunteering.

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Volunteering is one of the best, most certain ways we can find a purpose and meaning in our life, Val Walker, Author, via 'The New York Times'.

Volunteering can not only help you feel less lonely.

... it can also improve your health.

Executives of volunteering organizations say that if you're considering becoming a volunteer, .

... it's a good idea to ease into it.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to decide ‘I will volunteer twice every day for the next year’ because you’ll burn yourself out on it, Gary Bagley, Executive Director of New York Cares, via 'The New York Times'.

So think of something that’s manageable for you — not frightening in its scope of commitment — and just take the first step, Gary Bagley, Executive Director of New York Cares, via 'The New York Times'.

Choosing an organization to volunteer for can also be intimidating.

But there are several websites that can help, including Volunteer Match and Idealist.

Once you've narrowed down your choices, make sure the organizations prioritize volunteer safety.

It's also a good idea to make sure the service you're performing is meaningful to you.

This can make a big difference