According to an article by CNN Health, “Adults over 50 who volunteer for about two hours per week have a substantially reduced risk of dying, higher levels of physical activity and an improved sense of well-being.” The study was published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine and analyzed data from nearly 13,000 “older Americans” selected from the Health and Retirement Study from 2010 to 2016.
Eric Kim, a research scientist in the department of social and behavioral sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health touted the benefits of volunteering for this demographic, saying that, “Volunteering might help enrich our own lives by strengthening our bonds to others, helping us feel a sense of purpose and optimism, and protecting us from feelings of loneliness, depressive symptoms, and hopelessness."
So, if volunteering is so beneficial for both those serving and those served, how can folks continue their charitable work during the pandemic? According to Kim, it’s all about reimagining volunteering. Here are some ways that the article recommends volunteering in a way that also helps you and your community stay safe:
If volunteering is beneficial for both your community and your mental health, why wouldn’t we all find ways to give back? Despite the pandemic, today’s technological advancements give us the opportunity to volunteer in new, creative, innovative ways. How have you “e-volunteered” during the COVID-19 pandemic? We want to know!