Doing good is good for you.
Anyone who has ever been a volunteer knows that it feels good to help others, but researchers have determined measurable gains. Volunteering can help reduce the risk of hypertension.
A study published in Psychology and Ageing included more than 1,100 adults, aged 50 to 90, who were interviewed about their volunteering activities and as part of the study, had their blood pressure checked. The research showed that participants who said during the interview that they volunteered were 40 percent less likely to have high blood pressure. It didn't matter what type of activity the volunteers performed. What was observed was the amount of time spent helping others as a volunteer made a difference, according to the study.
“We know that stress, depression and anger all have negative effects on the body, especially with regard to the risk of cardiovascular disease,” says Dr Eric S Kim, a research fellow at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. The opposite emotions and mindsets — satisfaction and optimism — are closely linked to a sense of purpose, he adds. Yet a sense of purpose is associated with better heart health above and beyond the effects of optimism and a positive outlook.
Lifestyle choices, such as: exercise, weight control and stress reduction all affect the risk of heart disease. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and having a low level of stress are all associated with lower blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease.
But human relationships and social connections are equally important for maintaining heart health and reducing hypertension. Volunteering is a fantastic way to fortify human connections, strengthen your community and improve your life and the lives of others in the process.