Unexpected Benefits of Volunteering

You’re a healthy person, right? You eat lots of fruits and veggies, exercise a few times a week, wear sunscreen, and all the other ‘good for you’ stuff!

Well I’m here to inform you of another unexpected healthy thing you should be doing. It might not register as affecting your health but… it’s volunteering! You read that right: VOLUNTEERING is healthy for you!

According to Dr. Stephen Post’s research survey about volunteering (an average of 100 hours/year), here are facts about volunteering and your health:

      • 96% said volunteering makes them feel happier
      • 68% said volunteering makes them feel healthier
      • 58% said volunteering makes them sleep better

I don’t know a single person who doesn’t want to feel happier, healthier and get a better night’s sleep. Sign me up for some volunteering!

Volunteering has also been shown to reduce your stress levels by releasing endorphins (the feel good stuff) making volunteers feel good about what they’ve done and in turn lowering depression rates. Your friendships and relationships can also get a boost since many volunteer opportunities involve group activities, helping to improve volunteer’s social skills. A more obvious benefit is that volunteering can help keep you physically active which can lower your risk of conditions such as arthritis, heart disease and obesity.

Lastly, and probably the best unexpected benefit, is that volunteering may help you live longer. When volunteering you are improving your overall health, therefore improving your chances for reduced health issues later in life. By volunteering at least 2 hours per week, or at least 100 hours per year, you too can reap these unexpected benefits of volunteering.

So now the hard part is choosing which volunteer opportunity to choose! Good luck and may you enjoy the volunteering as much as you enjoy those who you’re helping.

Amy Whary
Volunteer Coordinator
Tel Hai Retirement Community

(Courtesy of Forbes & Care2.)

THE TRAIN CLUB OPEN HOUSE: Sat., Dec. 9, 2023

Tel Hai’s Train Club welcomes you to their holiday open house during the dates and times listed below. View the 30-foot mural showcasing the Chester County countryside, created by professional artist and Tel Hai resident Loretta Gable Englerth! Bring your grandchildren and explore all the railway communities within the detailed tablescapes during the 2023 holiday…

Read More

TASTE OF TEL HAI LUNCHEON- REGISTER: Tues., Jan. 23, 2024

Join Residential Living Counselor Tracy Weaver as she shares about Tel Hai at an in-person ‘Taste of Tel Hai’ event. Learn more about the Tel Hai lifestyle and decide if it could be perfect for you! Join us for a delicious lunch where you’ll learn about residential living options. You will get a great overview of our…

Read More

HILLCREST APARTMENTS WINTER OPEN HOUSE: Tues., March 5, 2024

Discover the connected, convenient, and all-under-one-roof advantage of Hillcrest Apartments at our ‘Winter Open House’ from 1- 3 PM. Centrally located with indoor access to campus amenities like wellness spaces, a pool, various culinary venues, a convenience store, onsite medical suite and library, you’ll enjoy the winter months embraced in the warmth of community. With…

Read More

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *