(DCWatchdog.com) – In an era obsessed with the fleeting promises of anti-aging products and miracle creams, a new study unveils a transformative truth: as little as one hour of volunteering per week may slow down biological aging.
See the tweet below!
Published in Social Science and Medicine, this pioneering research emphasizes the connection between regular volunteer activities and improved longevity markers.
By engaging in meaningful tasks that foster social connectivity, individuals may trigger biological responses that help maintain youthfulness.
Volunteering is not only good for the soul but also for the body.
The biological age measures how well or poorly your body is functioning relative to your actual calendar age, often impacted by lifestyle and environmental choices.
While this concept isn’t new, integrating such a simple lifestyle habit to mitigate it is revolutionary.
The study’s data from 2,605 Americans aged 62 and older reveal significant findings: more time spent volunteering correlates with greater reductions in biological age acceleration.
Even minimal volunteering, from just one hour a week to 49 hours annually, shows tangible benefits, especially among retirees.
“We found that the effects of a moderate level of volunteering — between 50 to 199 hours per year, or about one to four hours per week — were strongest for retired people,” said Cal Halvorsen, an associate professor at the Brown School and co-author of the study “Does volunteering reduce epigenetic age acceleration among retired and working older adults? Results from the Health and Retirement Study.”
Previous research supports the link between volunteering and reduced mortality among older adults.
Volunteering is linked to slower aging, study findshttps://t.co/dmvXD6cNxe
— Bergen Medical (@BergenMedical) December 19, 2024
This natural approach to counteract aging offers a proactive way to manage age-related challenges.
Family volunteering further strengthens bonds, teaching children compassion and community values, making this a wholesome lifestyle modification for all ages.
Volunteering provides a sense of purpose, enhances mental well-being, and fills life gaps caused by changes such as retiring.
It’s not just about filling your time; it’s about enhancing your life and health.
At the biological level, volunteers age just a bit slower than non-volunteers, backed by the science of enhanced social, physical, and purposeful engagements.
“According to researchers, volunteering offers a sense of purpose, enhances mental well-being, and helps fill gaps left by life changes, such as retiring or losing important roles like parenting,” the report notes.
Experts hope this revelation can catch policymakers’ attention, encouraging more people to embrace volunteering for public health benefits.
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