Surprising Health Benefits of Volunteering This Holiday Season

Did you know that volunteering can be good for your health? You might be surprised by all the good-for-you reasons to do good for others.

Studies show that people who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability and lower rates of depression than those who don’t volunteer. Plus, people over 50 who volunteer regularly are less likely to develop high blood pressure than if they didn’t volunteer.

Meet new people, learn new skills

A lot of volunteers are retirees who have come from careers that kept them challenged throughout their working years. Volunteer opportunities give them a chance to put their past and present skills to work for others. Different assignments can also give them chance to stay mentally sharp—and maybe try something they’ve never done before.

The same goes for volunteers who are just starting out in life—teens or college students. Not only does volunteering give them an insight into the working world, it helps in other, surprising ways.