It’s the season of giving and a time to think of giving instead of receiving.

It’s hard to know where to start your service endeavors because there are so many people in need and so many organizations that could use volunteers.

It can feel overwhelming, but the good news that if your heart is in the right place you can usually find a cause that you can volunteer your time and effort for.

And to help you get off on the right foot, here are five ways you can give back to your local or national community today and make where you live a better place.

Gather a clean-up crew

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Sadly, in most communities, there are areas that need a little extra love and care in the form of picking up trash and also cleaning it up in general.

Whether it’s a park, river, beach area, or other public areas, you can gather together a group of volunteers and create a clean-up project to help rejuvenate the community.

Make sure to get the permissions and permits you need, and then after that, go to work.

Your community will thank you for helping to beautify it, and those in charge will be grateful to not have to spend taxpayer money on it.

Volunteer to teach or help

If you have a specific skill you are really proficient at or are really good at teaching you may be able to volunteer to teach a class or be an aid.

For example, at a center that offers adult disability services you can ask if they need someone to teach a certain class or maybe the workers at the facility need help to put together a fun activity or program.

There are many places within your community that would probably love to have an extra hand.

Be a leader

Different, leader, best, unique, boss, individuality, original, special, worst, first, chief, champion and discrimination concept.

This can be applied to a community board or a little league coach, either way, you can definitely help your community out by becoming a leader in some organization that is city-run.

Since most of the time those positions are on a volunteer basis, becoming those leaders can help your voice to be heard in the community as well as affect lives for good.

Donate some money

Not everyone can put the time in to do something for the community, so if you have the means and big time constraints consider giving funds to a community cause in need.

Donations are very helpful to many organizations in your community, and you can do a little research to see where your money would best be served and then hand it over.

Share with your friends

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One person can really make a difference, but if that person gets their friends involved it can cause a positive ripple effect and before you know it there are people helping out everywhere you go which can only help your community.

If you are planning to volunteer or donate, share what you are doing with a friend, and if they want to get involved too, share with them how they can do their part.

The post 5 Ways to Give Back to the Community Today appeared first on InstantELLA.

But you don’t have to let those tendencies take control. When you find yourself on a downslope, take some time to do something that can boost your mood and help you feel good all day, regardless of what might still be the same. Who knows, your choice to do something different may bring new people or opportunities into your life!

Wear a Feel-Good Outfit

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Maybe you have a dress code to keep, or maybe you’ve been doing the bare minimum for your appearance the last few weeks. Change things up by wearing something that you feel good in. You may need a day of jeans and sweatshirts to break things up, or go the other way and dress in your most killer outfit to put some bounce in your step that other people will be sure to notice.

If you have a dress code to stay in line with, splurging on a new blouse or pair of boots could be just the thing. And for those with uniforms, jewelry like rings or earrings could be just enough to brighten your attitude. It’s all about feeling comfortable in your own skin and remembering what makes you feel like you.

Take Extra Time with Personal Hygiene

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You probably routinely take a shower, wash your face, and put on deodorant before you head out the door, but it may be time to slow down and really focus on yourself with your personal hygiene. Part of feeling good and healthy is also feeling clean and taken care of.

So take a few more minutes standing under the hot water or take a relaxing bath instead. Take extra care when brushing your teeth, as recommended by the Family Dental Health Center, and don’t forget to floss thoroughly. You can also change up the products you use to brighten your smile, alter the smell of your hair, or bring out the color in your eyes.

Take a Vacation From Your Phone

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Life is already busy without the constant lure of apps and notifications from your phone, but media has become such a necessity that it’s easy to forget to detach from it. You may not be able to take a full vacation right now and leave your phone behind, but don’t sell short the small ways you can get some separation.

You can designate your work breaks as technology free, leave your phone at home for an hour while you take a walk outside, and even turn your phone off overnight. Sure, it will be difficult at first, but the break will allow you some time to yourself to think, breathe, and spend quality time doing what you love with people you love.

Balance Healthy Foods with Tasty Treats

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Some people may tell you eating healthy is the only way to make your body feel good when it comes to food, but extreme food restrictions can also be adding to the monotony you’re feeling. Likewise, too many comfort foods can leave you feeling lethargic, out of shape, and even sick.

Feeling good about your diet is all about balance. So run to the grocery store and pick up a box of your favorite cookies for snacks, but don’t forget your favorite fruit or vegetable, too. Be mindful about how many times you eat out and start making a habit of drinking more water.

Indulge in some Personal TLC

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You may need more than just fresh fruits and clean hair to boost your mood, so some pampering may be in order. Visiting a spa or similar institutions is not only a retreat for your body but you can find some relief for your mind as well.

If you experience a lot of stress, schedule a massage to work out the knots in your muscles. If you do a lot of intricate work with your hands, go for the manicure, and if you’re always on your feet, a pedicure is for you.

And if you don’t want to spend extra time and money outside of the house, a good old-fashioned nap or sing-along to your favorite album can do wonders.

Assume the Good

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A big part of how you feel is mental, and with all the breaks in the world, it can still be hard to come back to the drawing board without being annoyed or reacting negatively as you have in the past.

Make an effort during your personal retreats to think positively. As you watch the people around you, try to assume the good. Is the intern badgering your coworker or sincerely trying to figure out the right way to do a task?

As you practice giving people the benefit of the doubt, and even choosing to be amused rather than frustrated about things out of your control in those small moments, a feel-good way of thinking will begin creeping into the rest of your day as well.

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