Volunteering is good for your health - Corriere della Sera

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REVIEW OF STUDIES

Volunteering is good for your health
It could even extend the life

Dedicate time to others reduces anxiety and depression, increases well-being and self-satisfaction

Do Good is good. It could be the slogan of a voluntary association, but it is the truth: a comprehensive review of 40 studies, published in the journal BMC Public Health shows that take care of others and be spent in charitable activities is not only beneficial for those who receive our attention, but also for our health: Volunteering in fact increases the general welfare, runs the risk of depression, makes us more satisfied with ourselves and may even prolong life.

REVIEW – This was discovered by Suzanne Richards of the University of Exeter in England, going to re-evaluate the data from 40 previous studies on the subject: “Many data seem to militate in favor of a positive effect of volunteering on health, but mostly it is narrative evidence and no one had ever compared the data of experimental studies conducted on the subject. We have analyzed all together with the results of experimental studies and longitudinal cohort studies, which lasted a long time, “says Richards. According to the results its in-depth analysis, the benefits for mental health would be clear: better general well-being, reduced risk of anxiety and depression, greater satisfaction with their life in general. Some data have also suggested a reduction in mortality of 20 per cent, however, Dr. Richards admits that the evidence of the benefits of longevity are less overwhelming.

COMMITMENT – “To reap the benefits of volunteering is also important to feel that we do good to others” returns “something: be aware of the psychological benefit from the aid to ‘another, in practice, is in itself a good spring, “says Richards. The data, however, confirm those of a study published in JAMA Pediatrics , that even teenagers engaged in volunteer projects are better: drop in cholesterol, inflammatory markers and also the weight, are recorded in more positive effects on self-esteem, mood, empathy and mental health. The mechanisms by which volunteering can be good for your health are unclear: some speculate that some positive effects on the body depend on the fact that volunteers often spend a greater amount of time outdoors or moving. Others point out that helping others is rewarding for the psyche and that, through the system neuroimmunoendocrino that “connects” the brain, immune system and metabolic activities, would have a beneficial effect on the whole body. “They will need further investigation to see if other social, cultural and biological agents are associated to the advantages of volunteering – Richards admits -. The hope is that an increasingly large number of people approaching these activities in Europe, the prevalence of volunteering among adults is still around 22 per cent, rising to 27 in the United States and even in Australia to 36 per cent of the population . Given that helping others is an injection of well-being, it is desirable that the number of volunteers will continue to grow for the good of themselves and of others. “

Elena Meli