Do you volunteer? Or have you thought about starting to volunteer? If so, the benefits of volunteering may be bigger and better then you thought!
We have all been told that it is better to give than receive, but studies are showing that when you give of yourself through volunteerism, you are actually gaining some benefits for yourself as well.
Older persons seem to benefit even more. Volunteering keeps you healthy, lowers stress levels, and can give you a bigger purpose to your everyday life. Social engagement is essential to overall wellbeing, so even an older person with reduced activity can benefit from the social intersection that volunteering provides.
Research shows that older adults who engage in regular volunteerism may get some physical benefits as well. Many experience a slower increase in physical disability and stay independent and physically active for a longer period of time than non-volunteers. In a study conducted by Purdue University, it was found that those who are regular volunteers have better cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, and have showed fewer signs of depression than their non-volunteering counterparts.
According to the United Healthcare/Volunteer Match, Do Good, Live Well Survey of more than 4,000 seniors:
— 87 percent of seniors who volunteer say they are aging well.
— 86 percent of senior volunteers feel younger than their age.
— 69 percent of seniors who volunteer say they feel good about getting older.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer but are not sure where to start, you can find great local organizations that are in need of the help from volunteers through a website called volunteermatch.org. This website is a national nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities by connecting good people to a good cause and is the preferred volunteering recruiting service for thousands of participating nonprofits.
Connecting with local groups and organizations that match with your unique skills and abilities, you can start to reap the rewards of being a volunteer and giving of yourself today!
Laurel Walther has a B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics and an M.S. in Integrated Marketing, Communications and has worked for over a decade in several areas of healthcare and health education throughout Northern Illinois.
