Need a prescription for volunteering? It’s great for your health

A dose of volunteering can equal a dose of heart medicine and help in many other ways too

Each January, we often try to raise the bar for who we will be in the coming year. Typically, we resolve to move more, eat better and boost our health.

Rather than do it alone, you can achieve these goals by volunteering. If you need extra motivation, ask your doctor to write you a prescription.

After all, people who donate their time live longer and richer lives.

“We all strive for a purpose in life…but for many people struggle with zero purpose,” says Dr. Iris Gorfinkel. “That need to feel needed…promotes physical exercise, social connections and a sense of gratitude. Volunteering is medicine.”

Last month, Medical Officer of Health Thomas Piggott and I talked about the health effect of volunteering via his Instagram live feed. We drew heavily from the research that cites better inclusion, physical functionality, mental health, self-esteem, quality of life and socialization.

We find ourselves in the midst of a potential loneliness epidemic. Isolation from other humans is worse for your body than binge drinking, sitting day after day and breathing polluted air.

However, people who volunteer have more confidence, more skills, more friends, better cognition, better job prospects and more fun in life.

Dr. Piggott also cited an April 23 study that explored the effects of volunteering on indivicuals’ health. The study’s authors explored the idea of doctors writing prescriptions for volunteer work so they feel more connected to people around them.

Kate Mulligan, an assistant professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, founded the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing.

“When people come together and volunteer, we are reminded of our capacity to actually get things done,” Mulligan says. “That makes a big difference and helps us feel like we matter.”

People who give to others often experience a change in mindset about their own life.  

“That change in your self-perception and self-esteem makes a tremendous difference in your own health experiences, your own health outcomes and your use of health services,” she told the Toronto Star.

People who feel connected visit their doctors less frequently, easing the burden on the healthcare system.

At Purdue University, sociology professor Ken Ferraro found that volunteering, even an hour a week, reduces the risk of heart attack by 46 percent compared with non-volunteers. People can choose a dose of medicine or of their personal time with the same outcome.

Benefits to society

Volunteering also provides clear economic benefits by acting as a ‘bridge’ of welfare services to more individuals. That, in turn, connects more people and creates a more tight-knit and caring environment. However, that only occurs when volunteers felt their contribution was appreciated.

Older adults get greater health benefits from volunteering since it compensates for the loss of the benefits of career success as they adjust to retirement. Having a place to go and help gives people a sense of purpose, other than work activity, yet delivering the same hit of altruism.

However, moderate intensity of volunteering delivered the most health benefits. Too much adds a burden of unwanted stress.

Individuals in higher socio-economic levels are twice as likely to volunteer than those of the lowest level. However, those of lower tiers may benefit more from volunteering in terms of socializing and health rewards.

Coincidentally, those of lower incomes are more likely to engage in informal volunteering, which is often overlooked by researchers. This can include helping a neighbour or a family member in need.

How can you help? Keep volunteering and invite others to do the same. Together, we can make volunteering contagious – in a good way.