Doing Good is Good for You!

There's no doubt that volunteering for a cause you believe in can make you feel good - you're a part of something positive and working to make the world a better place. But, as it turns out, doing good might actually be good for you too.

In part, the connection between volunteering and health is straightforward. If people have a reason to get out of bed in the morning, they're more likely to be more alert and more attentive.

But a number of studies on the correlation between volunteering and good health have shown that the physical benefits go beyond being alert and motivated. In fact, research has shown that volunteering can help you:

Live longer
Actively giving back promotes longevity. A University of Michigan study that tracked older volunteers revealed that participants who had a history of heart ailments actually experienced fewer chest pains and had lower cholesterol levels.

Live better
In the book The Healing Power of Doing Good, authors Allan Luks and Peggy Payne state that volunteers are generally more optimistic and healthier. Specifically, volunteers tend to have their weight under control, enjoy higher energy levels, sleep better and have a positive sense of self-esteem. Plus, they tend to be more relaxed and less prone to depression.

In England, researchers found that volunteering promotes a sense of well-being, bolsters the immune system, accelerates post-surgery recovery and reduces insomnia. And Harvard cardiologist Herbert Benson found that volunteering provides benefits similar to those enjoyed by yoga and meditation practitioners, such as lower blood pressure and slower heart rates.

Avoid isolation
Loneliness can be a silent killer; volunteering helps people maintain, or regain, the all-important human touch.

Socialization is a very important aspect of volunteering. What you see is people really connecting with one another. And they're connecting not only with people they're serving, but also people who might be colleagues, either paid staff or volunteers, so they're creating a community.

Build basic values
The earlier people begin to volunteer, the more likely they are to continue to donate their time. And for teens and young adults, volunteering can be especially important. Whether visiting a local hospital or taking part in a car wash, volunteering can become part of a young adult's basic value system and teach how important it is to give back to the community.

However, there's no ''correct'' age for volunteering. The earlier that people can get involved, the more beneficial it is for them personally. At the same time, many people start after they've retired, and found it to be a wonderful experience.