The Brain Health Benefits of Volunteering in Your Community

May 24, 2022 | Cognitive Health, Healthy Living, In the Community

Volunteering in your community with an organization you support or mission you love can improve your brain health! Volunteering can…

  • Improve memory
  • Improve cognitive flexibility
  • Increase focus
  • Help prevent dementia onset

Additional Benefits of Volunteer Work

Volunteering also provides many physical and social benefits, which are also great for the brain! Volunteering can…

  • Improve overall mental health
  • Decrease stress, depression and loneliness
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Increase a sense of purpose
  • Increase social support and interaction
  • Reduce the frequency of hospitalization
  • Increase the ability to carry out activities for daily living

Overall, “studies have shown that volunteering is associated with a 24% reduction in mortality risk for older adults.” Isn’t that amazing??

Ideas for Getting Involved in Your Community

Volunteering needs to be regular, with a recommended minimum of two hours per week in order for benefits to materialize. Finding a volunteer opportunity that incorporates something you are passionate about will make you want to volunteer more often!

  • Walk the dogs at a local animal shelter
  • Help clean up your local parks or beaches
  • Become more active in your church
  • Be a mentor at a community youth center
  • Help feed the hungry or work at a local food bank
  • Become a reading tutor for children
  • Help veterans through your local USO chapter or a veterans nonprofit
  • Volunteer with a Red Cross disaster services team
  • Become a guide at a local museum

Why Not Start Today?

The evidence is clear: volunteering is good for you and good for your community! I encourage you to find a way to get involved today!

If you liked this information, I invite you to check out next month’s blog post for another great cognitive health tip!

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