How Volunteering Supports Physical Well-Being
There is no denying that volunteering is good for your emotional health, but there are additional physical advantages. According to one study, older people who volunteer at least 200 hours per year have a 40% lower risk of developing high blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease and stroke.
Volunteering can be a healthy way to stay physically active, whether it’s walking a puppy or helping elderly people with their shopping. Additionally, it’s a fantastic opportunity to expand your social network and meet new people.
Your mental health can benefit from volunteering as well. Your serotonin levels may increase, and it may give you a sense of direction.
If you experience chronic stress and depression, it may also help you stay healthy. It can aid in lowering cortisol levels, a hormone that fuels inflammation and heart disease, in the body.
Additionally, it can help older people avoid social isolation, which is a typical issue. Your general health and welfare depend on having a network of friends and allies.
According to a recent study, people who regularly volunteer experience less stress reactivity than those who don’t. In addition, they had higher positive affect and life satisfaction levels, which, according to researchers, is not surprising given the social engagement that volunteering entails.
The study also discovered that people’s heart health improved when they volunteered for one hour each week. They were 40% less likely to have high blood pressure, which can lead to problems like heart failure and stroke.
Whatever your age or stage of life, volunteering gives you a sense of purpose and improves your mental health. It can help you connect with people who share your values and opinions, divert your attention from a trying circumstance, and teach you new skills.
You get a sense of purpose by volunteering, which lowers stress, elevates mood, and encourages leading a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, it benefits the neighborhood where you live.
Additionally, volunteering promotes your social life and self-confidence. As a result of meeting new people who share your interests and objectives, your network may grow.
Finally, you’ll gain knowledge and abilities that will advance your profession. Finding a career that matches your abilities and personality can be facilitated by volunteering with a nonprofit.
Volunteering can enable you to change the world, whether you’re working on a local initiative, assisting at a shelter, or traveling and teaching English to children. Additionally, it makes you feel proud of yourself and provides you with a sense of success that boosts your self-esteem. You may experience a “helper’s high” from it as well, which is akin to the high you experience after an amazing workout.
A good activity that might improve your overall health is volunteering. According to research, it can lower stress, enhance mental health, and even encourage you to maintain an active lifestyle.
Dopamine and other feel-good hormones are released in the brain when you engage in charitable activities like volunteering at a soup kitchen or park cleanup. Additionally, it promotes social interaction, which lessens feelings of isolation and despair.
Volunteering not only reduces stress but also lowers the risk of high blood pressure. According to a Carnegie Mellon University study, those who volunteer 200 hours annually are 40% less likely to experience high blood pressure than people who don’t.
You must identify a cause that you can fully devote yourself to and that you enjoy if you want to experience these advantages. Additionally, it must be something in which you are eager to put in the time and effort necessary to advance your knowledge and abilities.
