Looking for fun and fulfilling ways to boost your mental and physical health, meet new people and help better the world around you? Here are five ways to help your community with physical activity:
1. Tend to a community garden
Do you “dig” gardening but don’t have your own garden to look after? No problem – there may be a garden nearby where you and other community residents can plant, grow, tend to and harvest fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Often run by non-profit organizations and community centres, you can find community gardens in places like parks, schools, churches and other public spaces.
Gardening has many benefits for physical, mental and social well-being. It gives you a chance to get some fresh air and sunshine while building your muscles because it requires pushing, pulling, twisting, bending and lifting. Community gardens can also lead to more physical activity among residents, provide opportunities to socialize, improve the environment and make your neighbourhood look nicer.
Contact your local parks and recreation department or community centre to find a community garden near you or ask permission to start your own. You could also join a local gardening club or group.
2. Get active with your community by participating in a fundraising walk, run, bike ride or sporting event
Many nonprofits and charities organize community walks, runs, bike rides and other sporting events to raise money for worthy causes such as animal welfare, nature conservation and disease research. Depending on your fitness levels and goals, you can pick between different distances or difficulty levels.
To find an event near you, search online, read your local newspaper or subscribe to your local running, walking or cycling club’s email list. Make sure you pick an event that matches your values and interests and has a clear mission statement or history of success. Before registering, you may want to reach out to the event organizers or past participants to learn more about it.
3. Organize or take part in community clean-ups
Looking for a simple way to help your community look cleaner and more beautiful? Consider organizing or participating in a local park, trail or beach clean-up. Not only will you be able to sneak in some physical activity from all the movement required to pick up litter, but you’ll also prevent garbage from polluting our waterways and putting wildlife in danger. These clean-ups also give you a chance to socialize with your neighbours.
To organize a community clean-up, first get permission from your local parks department or government. Then, choose a date and time, recruit some volunteers by inviting friends, family members and neighbours, and provide volunteers with equipment like gloves and trash bags.
4. Volunteer in your community for a local charity or nonprofit organization
Many charities and nonprofit organizations rely on dedicated volunteers to carry out the important work they do. So, volunteer to stay active, connect with others, boost your mood, take your mind off your worries, develop new skills and gain valuable experience that could benefit your personal and professional life.
How to volunteer in your community
Contact local organizations with causes you care about deeply to see if they’re looking for volunteers. If you’re passionate about ensuring that people don’t go hungry, you could serve meals at a soup kitchen or collect and sort food donations at your local food bank. Do you love animals? Consider volunteering at your local animal shelter, where you can walk dogs and play with other pets.
5. Help your community with physical activity by coaching a local sport team
If you love a certain sport and want to share your passion for it, why not coach a local league or team? You can make a positive impact on young athletes’ lives by helping them develop valuable, confidence-boosting skills and values like teamwork, leadership and discipline. Since coaching requires leadership, communication and problem-solving skills, it’s also great for your own personal growth and development.
Check with local recreation leagues, schools or nonprofit sport groups for coaching opportunities. You may need to have previous coaching experience and pass a background check if you’ll be working with kids.
As you can see, getting active while helping your community doesn’t need to be hard or take up a lot of your time. If you’re able to marry your passion for community activities that align with your interests and abilities, you’ll get to support your community while boosting your own health and well-being.
