Volunteering Can Ease Pain

Too often we find ourselves sitting in our home, wishing we could go and do something to feel better, yet not knowing if at the end of the day we will feel better– or worse.

Although you may think that volunteering will drain all your energy, you may find that it actually can ease physical pain. And sometimes, even if you are in more physical pain, you may discover that the mental and spiritual joy you gained still makes the physical pain worth it!

Volunteering has been found to:

Enhance self-esteem through the “good feelings” derived from helping others and feeling worthwhile and needed.

Distract one from one’s aches and pains, providing motivation for rehabilitation and activity, helping overcome social isolation, and providing a sense of community and belonging.

Key benefits of volunteer work include: skill development, coping with isolation, the chance to “give back” to the community, to meet people, to enhance job prospects, personal growth, personal empowerment and to gain a new perspective on one’s own problems.

Research Summary: Graff, L. (1991). Volunteer for the Health of it Etobicoke, Ontario: Volunteer Ontario.

Make Your Own Reed Diffusers

You may love the scents of the reed diffusers, but they quickly dry and up get expensive to replace.

Here is an easy way to make your own or make up a bunch for special Christmas gifts. You can get cute bottles at your local craft or $.99 store (or Google “wholesale bottles”) and tie a pretty bow around it.

• Just pour some unscented mineral oil into your bottles and then mix in 1 tsp of your favorite essential oil scent.
• If you don’t have reeds, cut off the points of some bamboo skewers you use for BBQing and you are ready to go.

Now you can have lavandar in the bedroom (for easy sleep) and peppermint in the kitchen (to wake you up!)