Dr. Edith Chen from Northwestern University discusses the health benefits of volunteering, including reduced chronic inflammation, cholesterol levels, and weight loss. The podcast explores how volunteering boosts mood, empathy, and overall well-being, while also providing opportunities to make new connections and meet new people.
Volunteering can boost mood, empathy, and overall health by reducing chronic inflammation and cholesterol levels.
Engaging in acts of kindness like volunteering can lead to lower stress, increased well-being, and improved heart health.
Deep dives
Benefits of Volunteering for Mental and Physical Wellbeing
Volunteering can improve mental and physical health by reducing stress levels and boosting overall well-being. Research suggests that volunteering not only benefits the recipient but also the volunteer, leading to reduced stress, lower cholesterol levels, and decreased chronic inflammation. Engaging in acts of kindness, such as volunteering time or resources, can have a positive impact on heart health and mental well-being for both parties involved.
Positive Impact of Volunteering on Health Outcomes
Regular volunteering has been linked to improved health outcomes, such as lower risk of an early death and increased sense of well-being. Studies indicate that volunteering for as little as two hours a week can result in fewer hospital stays and overall improved health. The motive behind volunteering plays a significant role, with genuine altruism being more beneficial for health benefits than self-serving motives.
Volunteering and Physical Health
Volunteering has been associated with lower blood pressure levels, with volunteers being 40% less likely to develop high blood pressure. Engaging in volunteering activities, regardless of the type, has shown positive impacts on health markers and may contribute to better overall physical health. The psychosocial benefits of volunteering, such as improved mood and empathy, can translate into physiological health effects, including reduced inflammation and lower cholesterol levels.
In this episode, Michael Mosley discovers that, as well as being a very rewarding thing to do, volunteering your time, labour or spare room can really benefit your health too. Michael speaks with Dr Edith Chen from Northwestern University in the US, who has been investigating the power of helping others. She tells Michael about her studies showing that by boosting your mood and empathy, volunteering can lower chronic inflammation, cholesterol and even help you lose weight. It’s also a great way to meet new people! Meanwhile, Matt gives back to his local community by volunteering at a food bank.
Series Producer: Nija Dalal-Small
Editor: Zoë Heron
A BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode