Volunteering can help you make friends, learn new skills, advance your career, and even feel happier and healthier.

With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering can be enormous. Volunteering offers vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community, but the benefits can be even greater for you, the volunteer. The right match can help you to find friends, connect with the community, learn new skills, and even advance your career.

Giving to others can also help protect your mental and physical health. It can reduce stress, combat depression, keep you mentally stimulated, and provide a sense of purpose. While it's true that the more you volunteer, the more benefits you'll experience, volunteering doesn't have to involve a long-term commitment or take a huge amount of time out of your busy day. Giving in even simple ways can help those in need and improve your health and happiness.

Benefits of volunteering: 4 ways to feel healthier and happier

1. Volunteering connects you to others
2. Volunteering is good for your mind and body
3. Volunteering can advance your career
4. Volunteering brings fun and fulfillment to your life

Our guest this week is Scott Alm. Scott was born and raised in the Chicago area. He is a real estate appraiser by trade, but his real passion is adaptive sports. Adaptive sports favorites include Diveheart Advanced Adaptive Dive Buddy specializing in quadriplegics with full face masks, Adaptive Adventures Lead Ski Instructor specializing in tethering sit skiers with fixed out riggers, and Blind Ski Guide with American Blind Skiing foundation.

Other sports include adaptive snowboard instructor, adaptive water skiing fitter/catcher/jumper, adaptive bike fitter and mechanic, tandem bike pilot, adaptive kayak fitter and guide, and adaptive rock climbing helper monkey.