Whether it is planting trees or serving food to the homeless,
volunteering your time for the greater good makes a difference
in the lives of many. Doing good deeds also benefits your body,
too. A study from Harvard shows that people who regularly
volunteer enjoy longer, happier, healthier lives.
Researchers say that
people over 50 years old who volunteer for about two hours
weekly have a considerably lower risk of death. They are also
less likely to develop physical impairments and do exercise more
frequently. All of these benefits naturally lead to a stronger
overall well-being versus people who do not volunteer.
“Humans are social
creatures by nature. Perhaps this is why our minds and bodies
are rewarded when we give to others,” explains lead author Dr.
Eric Kim, of the Chan School of Public Health at Harvard
University. “Our results show that volunteerism among older
adults doesn’t just strengthen communities, but enriches our own
lives by strengthening our bonds to others, helping us feel a
sense of purpose and well-being, and protecting us from feelings
of loneliness, depression, and hopelessness.”
The researchers
randomly selected nearly 13,000 participants a national study
conducted between 2010-2016. Participants were split into two
groups and tracked for four years each. The research team used
health data, face-to-face interviews and surveys to evaluate the
effects of volunteering on 34 specific physical and mental
health outcomes.