5 benefits that volunteering brings to your health

In theory, many people consider volunteer work in orphanages, nursing homes and hospitals as beautiful and that "someday will be part of it." But in practice, many people forget to really get their hands dirty and work for the needy.

While volunteering a priori benefits the recipient, it can also have a positive impact on the recipient's life. Science has detected 5 health advantages for those who take the time to look at others:

1. Lowers stress

Everyday life can make our lives very stressful, keeping people from volunteering for fear of more emotional overload. It turns out that two studies published in 2013 show that practice actually helps to ease tension and become more relaxed. Doing good has a cathartic effect on people's lives.

2. Reduces incidence of drug use

Oxford University published in 2015 that volunteer teens and college students are more likely to quit drug or alcohol addiction and other behaviors considered harmful. Practice also prevents these addictions from arising in the future, making the volunteer's life healthier.

3. Prevents against heart disease

Physical inactivity has elevated the population's overweight rates and increased the risk of cardiovascular disease. If you are part of this group and are not in the mood for exercise, volunteering may be a more viable path: a 2013 study of high school students showed that those who were doing good to strangers had the right cholesterol and weight. for age than those who did not help others.

4. Increases happiness

A 2005 study showed volunteer practitioners' brains release more hormones like dopamine and serotonin, which naturally make us happier. As a result, self-esteem will be higher, depression rates will drop and the ability to cope with different situations will be enhanced.

5. Decreases imminent risk of dying

The practice of volunteering is ageless: it can be done at any stage of life, even after you've grown old or old. A study published in 2013 showed that older people who do societal action were less likely to die suddenly, even though they were in impeccable health before doing good.

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Now that you know all this, how about putting into practice what you probably already consider beneficial to society? Look for some good NGOs or groups and do your part to make the world better for everyone!