Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others. – 1 Peter 4:10
Serve the Lord with gladness. – Psalm 100:2
At Faithful Workouts, we talk a lot about moving our bodies, eating nutritious foods, and spending time with God — and these are so important. But there’s another key ingredient to a joyful, healthy life: serving others.
Serving isn’t just a nice thing to do or something that benefits the people around us — it’s life-changing for us, too. Body, mind, and spirit, we are wired to thrive when we give of ourselves.
Here are four powerful (and surprising) reasons to serve:
1. Serving Is Good for Your Physical Health
When we serve others, we don’t just touch hearts — we strengthen our own bodies. Research shows that people who regularly serve or volunteer live longer, have lower blood pressure, and even experience reduced chronic pain. One study found that having purpose and meaning in your life can increase your life expectancy by up to 7 years!
Isn’t it amazing that something as simple as preparing a meal or lending a helping hand can positively impact our physical health? When we serve with love, our health improves!
2. Serving Fights Depression and Loneliness
For many women — especially in midlife or after children have left the home — there can be a real sense of loss, loneliness, or even purposelessness. When so much of our identity has been wrapped up in caring for our families, it’s easy to feel like we’ve lost our “why” when that season ends. In fact, studies show that women are at one of the highest risks of depression during the empty-nest years.
- According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 1 in 5 women will experience depression at some point in their lives — and midlife is a particularly vulnerable time.
- A study published in the Journal of Women & Aging found that feelings of emptiness, loss of identity, and social isolation often peak during the transition to the empty nest, especially when women lack new purpose or community.
- On the flip side, a study in BMC Public Health showed that people who volunteer regularly experience fewer symptoms of depression and report greater life satisfaction than those who don’t.
That’s where serving becomes such a powerful antidote to depression. Acts of kindness — big or small — help reconnect us with meaning. Serving reminds us that we still have something valuable to give and opens the door to relationships that bring encouragement, joy, and a renewed sense of belonging.
When we show up for others, we’re reminded: We still matter. We are still needed. And in giving, we actually receive — connection, joy, and a deep sense of purpose.
3. Serving Lowers Stress and Boosts Your Mood
When we focus on helping others, something powerful happens in our brains. Serving others helps reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and increases feel-good chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin — the same ones linked to joy, peace, and human connection.
Even small acts of service, like offering a listening ear or helping a friend, can shift our focus away from our own stress and lift our spirits in the process. Serving isn’t a chore. It’s a natural mood booster!
4. Serving Deepens Your Faith
Every time we serve, we reflect the heart of Jesus. Scripture reminds us that “even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others.” (Matthew 20:28). When we choose to serve, we’re not just doing good, we’re living more like Jesus.
Serving shifts our mindset from “What can I get?” to “What can I give?” And in that shift, we grow closer to God. The more we serve, the more we become like Him. We discover that serving isn’t something we have to do — it’s something we get to do. And God meets us there.
If you’re feeling a bit down or struggling to take care of your body, the breakthrough you’re looking for might come as you step out to serve someone else. When we know our lives have purpose, we’re far more likely to care for ourselves — choosing to move our bodies, eat well, and stay healthy — because we want to feel our best so we can live out that purpose each day.
So, how will you serve this week?
Maybe it’s offering a word of encouragement, helping a neighbor, making a meal, or simply smiling and asking someone how they’re really doing. Big or small, every act of service counts.
Let’s be women who serve the Lord with gladness — and experience the joy that comes with it.
