Originally published in “Seniority” magazine –Age Concern Wellington Region
Volunteering is generally viewed as a service that helps people and changes their lives, but the Mayo Clinic recently advised that it can also benefit the health of the volunteer. A volunteer doesn’t have to be a wealthy donor or a politician to make a difference in their community, they can enhance people’s lives purely by volunteering their services, big or small, to assist others in your community. Research has shown that voluntary service can provide significant health benefits for the volunteer, particularly for older adults.
There is some contention about whether volunteering makes people happier, or that there is a reverse causality in that happier people are more likely to volunteer. Be that as it may, the general view is that volunteering can improve both the physical and mental well-being of the volunteer.
One study published in 2020 by the Journal of Happiness Studies reported that people who volunteered reported greater life satisfaction and better overall health as opposed to those who didn’t. In addition, they found that those who volunteered more frequently (at least once a month) showed better mental health than those who volunteered less frequently.
The Harvard Medical School has been looking at these mental and physical health impacts including the question of how volunteering might contribute to lower blood pressure and whether it may also reduce stress.
A study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University comments, “As with any activity thought to improve health, researchers are trying to identify the specific characteristics of volunteering that provide the greatest benefit. For example, how much time would you need to put into volunteer work to lower your blood pressure or live longer?” Their study proposes that 200 hours of volunteering per year correlated to lower blood pressure. But there are other studies that have found a health benefit from as little as 100 hours of volunteering a year.
Which types of volunteer activities improve health the most? No one really knows. There is some speculation that mentally stimulating activities, like tutoring or reading, might be helpful for maintaining memory and thinking skills, while “activities that promote physical activity would be helpful with respect to cardiovascular health, but no studies have really explored this.” So, it is all a bit up in the air, but speculation is rife, and theories persist.
The general view of the health benefits to the participants of volunteering to help seniors comes down to:
- Increased physical activity. Many volunteer opportunities involve physical activity to a greater or lesser extent, such as taking seniors for walks, or even visiting them. Any regular activity can help improve physical health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- Reduced stress. It is suggested that volunteering can help to reduce stress by providing a sense of purpose, action, and achievement. The volunteer connects with others and builds relationships, and shares experiences and opinions, which can further reduce stress.
- Improved mental health. Volunteering gets people out making contacts, either individually or in groups, to develop a broader social network which helps improve mental health by reducing isolation and loneliness. It can also help to boost self-esteem and confidence.
- Sense of purpose. Volunteering can give you a sense of purpose and make you feel like you are making a difference in the world. This can boost your self-esteem and overall well-being.
- Longer lifespan. Volunteering has been linked with helping individuals live longer. This is possibly due to the benefits listed above of reduced stress and better social connections.
- Lower blood pressure. Volunteering may help reduce blood pressure, perhaps by increasing physical activity and lowering stress. That’s important because high blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
While the science may be a little vague, it generally points to the conclusion that if you want to improve your health and well-being, volunteering to help seniors is a great option.
Age Concern has options for volunteering to assist seniors in the wider Wellington region. There is a volunteer opportunity that is right for you. So, if you feel so inclined give us a call. You will be glad you did.
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