How Volunteering Helps You Stay Physically Healthy

While many people think of volunteering as a way to help others, it can also be good for your own mental and physical health. Read on to learn more about how volunteering can keep you healthy. Volunteers often have to move around, which is good for their overall health. Especially for older adults, keeping active can reduce the risk of diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Volunteering often involves physical activity, which is great for your health. In fact, a recent study from Carnegie Mellon University found that adults over age 50 who volunteered regularly were less likely to develop high blood pressure than non-volunteers.

Studies have also shown that volunteering keeps your heart healthy. One of those studies followed teenagers who spent one hour a week in an after-school program and discovered that they had lower levels of cholesterol and cardiovascular inflammation than their peers.

It’s a natural feeling of fulfillment and gratification that comes from helping others, so it makes sense that volunteering might be good for your mental health as well. It releases dopamine, which is important for learning, motivation and mood, the Mayo Clinic says.

It can also reduce your risk of depression. Volunteering helps build a support system, which protects you against the negative effects of isolation and loneliness. It also helps you develop social interaction and broaden your network of friends by exposing you to new people who share similar interests.

Volunteering is a great way to stay physically healthy. Whether you’re washing cars for a fundraiser, giving a museum tour or serving food to the homeless, all of these activities get your heart rate up and help you burn calories. It’s also a great way to make new friends. Research has found that volunteering is linked to social connectedness, which can help older adults feel less lonely.

Another positive aspect of volunteering is that it can give you a sense of pride and identity. Studies show that people who volunteer tend to be more satisfied with their lives and have a greater sense of self-worth. It’s a great way to meet people who share your values and have similar interests as you do. Volunteering can help you find friends that share your passions and who can support you through good times and bad.

Volunteering can help you stay physically healthy by decreasing your risk of high blood pressure and chronic pain. It can also help you develop and maintain your mental health by helping you to better understand the issues that are affecting your community.

It can also help you build a support network and enhance your social interaction. This is important for your overall psychological health because a lack of social contact can cause feelings of isolation and stress. Studies have shown that volunteers are less likely to develop high blood pressure and have lower mortality rates. However, no one knows what type of volunteer work will give you the best health benefits.

When you give your time to a cause that means something to you, you feel more connected. The feeling that you’re helping others makes you feel good, and it also boosts your self-esteem. Volunteering also helps you stay physically healthy because it often involves physical labor, which can keep your heart rate up and reduce your risk of high blood pressure and other health issues.

In addition, volunteering is a great way to meet new people who share your interests and outlook on life. This social benefit can help you develop relationships and a sense of community, which is essential for overall happiness. Research also shows that giving to others is a surefire ‘helper’s high’, which is linked with enhanced mood and mental wellbeing. This feelgood response can last a long time after you’ve completed your altruistic act.