Volunteer to Lengthen Your Life

You may have already experienced the sense of fulfillment and personal growth that can come from volunteering, but now scientists say there is an additional reason to give back—it can help you live longer.

New research reported at the American Geriatrics Society annual meeting show that older people who take part in a volunteer activity significantly cut their risk of death during the four-year period of the study.

The VA Medical Center and University of California-San Francisco scientists suggest that volunteering helps seniors make friends, access resources and maintain a positive attitude—all of which may contribute to an increased lifespan.

As part of the study, participants were asked to report whether they had done any volunteer work in the past year for a religious, educational, health-related or charitable organization.

Four years later, 12 percent of the volunteer group had passed away, compared with 26 percent of those who did not take part in any of those activities.

Separate research from Boston University recently identified extraversion—demonstrated by maintaining a robust circle of friends—as a quality likely to lengthen a person's lifespan.