This week is National Volunteer Week. If you’ve ever volunteered, you’re probably familiar with the positive feelings it causes. Did you know your health also benefits?
Obviously, the main purpose of volunteering is to give unselfishly to others. Whether you gather items for the local food bank, spend time sitting with patients in a hospital or nursing home, or prepare meals for a homeless shelter, you’re offering your time and attention for the good of others.
But other people aren’t the only ones who benefit when you volunteer. Your health also reaps the benefits. Let’s take a look at some ways your health benefits from volunteering:
Seniors, in particular, experience the mental health benefits of volunteering. That’s because many people lose their sense of purpose and fulfillment as they age. Volunteering gives seniors back a sense of purpose, as they give to others.
Spending time volunteering also helps alleviate stress, which can benefit both your physical and mental health.
The study found that adults who volunteered 200 or more hours a year had a 40 percent lower risk of high blood pressure than those who didn’t volunteer at all. Don’t have that much time to give back? That’s OK. Other studies have correlated drops in blood pressure with less volunteer time.
The researchers found that cholesterol levels and body mass index dropped in these teens when compared with other teens who weren’t volunteering. In addition, their overall level of body inflammation also decreased.
High levels of cholesterol, BMI and inflammation are all associated with a higher risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
This effect is probably a combination of the other health benefits, since better mental health, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, lower BMI and decreased inflammation are all associated with a reduced risk of developing serious health conditions.
Giving back at Erlanger
There are a variety of ways to give of your time and energy to benefit patients at Erlanger. You can become a member of the Erlanger Baroness Auxiliary or participate in one of our events, like the Dragon Boat Festival.
We also have opportunities for college students and teens.
Interested in volunteering but aren’t sure where to start? Call (423) 778-9298 for more information.
Breastfeeding is every mother's gift to her baby. It is a special bond that only…
Volunteering is an act of kindness that can never be underestimated. It’s an opportunity to…
As the summer season approaches, many people are gearing up for outdoor activities, including riding…
Aphasia is a disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate, whether it be through…
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, going to the doctor or hospital can bring…
Approximately 97,610 new melanoma cases will be diagnosed in the United States this year. In…