How volunteer work can improve your health

You know volunteering helps others but did you know it can be good for you as well? Researchers have been studying the impact of volunteering and how it helps those who give of themselves. The results are encouraging. Not only can volunteering help you feel connected to others and give you a sense of purpose but more and more science is discovering the many emotional and health benefits as well.

Here are seven surprising benefits of volunteering:

1. Volunteering may reduce your risk of depression – People who volunteer feel more connected to others and their community and as a result they are less likely to feel isolated or depressed. In fact researchers have found that volunteering can even help individuals who have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) because it encourages social participation and allows volunteers to feel that they are helping others.

2. Volunteering may lower blood pressure – Along with the mental health benefits of volunteering studies have found that there may be a physical benefit as well. Volunteering may help prevent hypertension or lower your blood pressure if it is elevated.

3. Volunteering may lead to better heart health – Volunteering creates a strong sense of purpose that can not only make you happy but can help improve your cardiovascular health. In 2016 researchers compared multiple studies with over 136000 participants. One of the significant findings was that individuals who volunteer have a reduced risk for any cardiovascular event when compared to those who do not volunteer.

4. Volunteering may improve your brain – The benefits of staying active and connected to others have been well documented but one study compared seniors who volunteered at elementary schools to seniors who did not volunteer and found that those who volunteered had improved cognitive functioning. The researchers suggest that the planning and activity required to stay active and interact when volunteering may even help delay or prevent dementia.

5. Volunteering may lead to more job satisfaction – People who volunteer have reported more satisfaction at work greater work-life balance and less occupational burn-out. Even though volunteer work can be time-consuming for already busy people it may bring a sense of balance and validate the importance of serving outside of employment that may lead to more satisfaction with work.

6. Volunteering may help you live longer – Studies of seniors who volunteer found they live longer and had better health than their peers who did not volunteer. Seniors who felt their life had a purpose were less likely to suffer from conditions like heart disease and they lived longer than their peers who did not volunteer.

7. As you age volunteering brings even greater benefits – Apparently the benefits of volunteering including general mental well-being are more pronounced in people over the age of 40 and into advanced age. It’s never too late to volunteer and never too late to benefit from your efforts.

Volunteering is a wonderful way to help others and to feel more connected to your community. If you are looking for a way to help Reid Health has many opportunities to volunteer. Contact Reid Health today and begin your journey to helping others and you just might help yourself as well.