Numerous scientific studies have shown a link between altruistic behaviour, such as activities that involve volunteering and giving back, and having a greater sense of self-esteem and self-worth. These are two factors that can contribute to the level of happiness that we experience in our day-to-day lives.

That sense of satisfaction that you feel when you are working for a purpose greater than yourself doesn’t guarantee that you will be happy working at a nonprofit. Just like any other workplace, working for a good cause is not without demands, stress and other challenges.

The following are a few suggestions on how nonprofits can create happier, healthier and less stressful working environments that increase satisfaction and well-being for their staff members and volunteers.

Provide Training and Guidance

No one likes the feeling of being ill-prepared. Allow your team to increase their confidence levels by providing training and regular refresher courses. Focus on providing opportunities to members of your team that help them to develop the skills that they need to perform their tasks and duties well.

As skill levels increase, team members feel more comfortable in their roles, reducing the level of stress that they feel. Continue to offer guidance to workers, whether or not they are paid for their work, by providing regular feedback about their quality of work and reviews of their performance.

Offer Autonomy

While it’s important to provide regular and thorough training for all staff members and volunteers, it’s also important to allow your team to feel that they do have some say in the way that they perform their work.

Look for ways to offer your associates more control in how they perform tasks and get the work done. Reward “out of the box” thinking that increases efficiency and results while staying true to your organisation’s values and mission.

Offer Flexibility

Just like any other workplace, volunteers and staff members likely have a hard time achieving a realistic and livable balance between the demands of their work and personal lives. Wherever possible, allow your team to adopt flexible schedules so they can complete tasks and duties in a timely fashion. This will then give them the time to have a fulfilling life outside of the work that they do for you and the organisation.

Look for ways to reduce the complexity and duration of volunteer assignments. Can some tasks be completed online and away from your primary work site? Do you have opportunities to volunteer that do not require lengthy commitments of time on a regular basis?

Breaking up large volunteer tasks into smaller assignments that can be completed by multiple volunteers is another way to reduce the workload. This way it can be spread around and shared more equally.

Encourage Wellness

Living an active, healthy lifestyle is one of the many ways that you can increase your body and mind’s resistance to stress and its deadly effects. Adopt a wellness program that encourages others that are connected with your organisation to adopt such a lifestyle.

Encourage efforts by your team to eat a healthier diet, break damaging habits such as smoking or excessive drinking, and increase activity levels.

Allow workers the time to schedule a physical activity such as walking into their daily work schedule. Consider hosting fitness classes on site, or partnering with a local third party to provide fitness training and exercise to members at a free or reduced rate.

As the health and fitness level of your team increases, so will their sense of self-esteem and well-being. The result is that their ability to resist the effects of stress will be increased, and lead to increased feelings of happiness and optimism.

The Role of Workspace Design

One’s working environment can have a great impact on mood, motivation and energy levels. Consider making changes that will make your organisation’s workspaces healthier and more ergonomic. Provide functional office equipment, including comfortable chairs that offer support to the lumbar spine.

Take steps to ensure that the lighting in your office is bright enough so that it prevents eye strain, and look for ways to increase the amount of natural light that enters your building.

Paint the walls a bright, uplifting colour such as a sunny yellow, or a soothing tone such as cool green which brings much calmness and reflection. Suggest team members bring personal items from home, such as their favourite plants and photos, to help individualise the space and increase the comfort level.

Encourage Cooperation, Sharing and Socialisation

Help your staff and volunteers feel less pressured and reduce their stress levels by encouraging them to share job duties and cooperate with one another. This will help your team get the work done more efficiently and quickly.

Develop socialisation among your team. Host a regular office party or potluck where everyone brings a dish and takes time out to celebrate working together to develop natural bonds of friendship.

Offer Recognition and Rewards

Everyone likes to feel appreciated, and for their hard work and efforts to be noticed. Praise staff and volunteers on a regular basis for the good job that they do. Offer perks and rewards when the quality of their work goes above and beyond standard results. Host a regular award program or event where members of your team can be recognised and thanked for their contributions.