New research suggests that engaging in just one activity each week could help you live a longer, healthier life: volunteering. A study, which will be featured in the January issue of Social Science & Medicine, discovered that volunteering—even just an hour per week—can slow down biological aging, effectively reducing how old your cells and tissues appear compared to your actual age.
When the researchers examined other health factors known to impact biological aging, such as how often individuals exercised, their smoking and drinking habits, and their weight, they still found a link between volunteering and slower aging.
The study, involving 2,605 Americans aged 62 and older, looked at how frequently the participants volunteered, whether they were still working or retired, and assessed their biological age using advanced cellular aging tools. They found that those who volunteered one to four hours a week experienced slower biological aging than those who didn’t volunteer at all. Retired individuals showed the most benefit, with even minimal volunteering leading to slower aging compared to those still in the workforce.
Moreover, the health benefits of volunteering increased with the amount of time spent volunteering. Those who volunteered more than four hours a week showed the greatest reduction in biological aging, regardless of whether they were working or retired.
This study resonates with past research indicating that volunteering can lower mortality rates among older adults. Another study in 2023 similarly found that volunteering was associated with slower biological aging, reiterating its positive impact. However, the new research also highlights differences between retired and working individuals.
There are some limitations to consider. To volunteer, a person generally needs good health, optimism, and enough spare time and income. Although the researchers tried to account for these factors, it’s challenging to isolate the impact of volunteering completely.
Biological age measures how old your cells and tissues are, offering a perspective on how quickly or slowly you’re aging in comparison to your chronological age, which is simply the number of years you’ve lived. There are various tests to determine biological age, including examining biomarkers and physical signs like wrinkles. In this study, epigenetic tests were used, which look at how behavior and environment affect DNA expression.
Experts suggest that volunteering promotes health and longevity through a mix of physical, social, and psychological benefits. Physical activity, often involved in volunteering, supports healthier aging. Social connections gained through volunteering are also crucial, as they can lower stress and enhance cognitive functioning. Psychological boosts from having a sense of purpose can further improve mental health and help cope with the aging process.
Whether it’s through mentoring, organizing community events, or distributing meals, volunteering might just be the key to living not only longer but better. There’s hope that these findings will prompt policymakers to encourage more people to volunteer.
