The Pastime That Extends Your Life
When the going gets tough, the tough give back. Volunteering may help you live longer, finds new research in the journal Health Psychology.
In the study, people who reported a major stressor (like a job loss) in the last year were 30 percent more likely to die within a 5-year follow-up than those who hadn’t had a crisis. The exception: People who did volunteer work had no increased risk of dying.
One possible reason: Selfless acts may release the bonding hormone oxytocin, which blunts stress, says researcher Michael Poulin, Ph.D., of the University of Buffalo. That’s key—stress can trigger heart attacks.
How much giving is enough? Try 20 to 39 hours a year, the average range of time people in the study volunteered. Looking for a cause that’s worthy of your time? Start with these 3 guy-friendly charities.
Stoked (stoked.org)
Hit the beach, the slopes, and the streets—it still counts as volunteer work. This charity pairs you up with an underprivileged kid and sends the two of you surfing, snowboarding, or skateboarding for the day. Stoked takes children out of their comfort zone and lets them experience something new, says Steve Larosiliere, the organization’s president and founder. Plus, each sport teaches kids—and you—how to overcome obstacles, he says.
Big Brothers Big Sisters (bbbs.org)
There’s a mantra that has floated around Big Brothers Big Sisters headquarters for years, according to CEO T. Charles Pierson: To be a man, you have to see a man. “So many of life’s lessons are caught, not taught,” Pierson says of his organization, which pairs adults with hard-luck kids and kickstarts long-lasting relationships in the process. Make your little brother a part of your life: Hit up a ballgame, see a movie, or even just do yard work, and you’ll impart your wisdom to him along the way.
There’s a mantra that has floated around Big Brothers Big Sisters headquarters for years, according to CEO T. Charles Pierson: To be a man, you have to see a man. “So many of life’s lessons are caught, not taught,” Pierson says of his organization, which pairs adults with hard-luck kids and kickstarts long-lasting relationships in the process. Make your little brother a part of your life: Hit up a ballgame, see a movie, or even just do yard work, and you’ll impart your wisdom to him along the way.
The National Alliance for Youth Sports (nays.org)
Just because your Little League days are long gone doesn’t mean you can’t be a part of someone else’s. The National Alliance for Youth Sports offers online training sessions for coaches who want to brush up on their skills or start from scratch. Sure, coaching youth sports keeps you active and healthy, but it also teaches you to lead by example, says John Engh, the organization’s Chief Operating Officer.
Just because your Little League days are long gone doesn’t mean you can’t be a part of someone else’s. The National Alliance for Youth Sports offers online training sessions for coaches who want to brush up on their skills or start from scratch. Sure, coaching youth sports keeps you active and healthy, but it also teaches you to lead by example, says John Engh, the organization’s Chief Operating Officer.
No comments:
Post a Comment