A new study in the journal Social Science & Medicine suggests that pitching in outside the home can do more than help others - it can actually slow cognitive decline in middle-aged and older adults.
Researchers from the University of Texas and the University of Massachusetts Boston followed more than 30,000 adults over two decades and found that both formal volunteering (through organizations) and informal helping (like supporting friends or neighbors) were linked to sharper brains over time.
How much do you need to do? The study broke it down:
Low: under 2 hours a week
Moderate: 2–4 hours a week
High: 4+ hours a week
More hours generally meant more benefit, though the gains flattened out at the higher end. And here’s a pro tip from the researchers: easing into volunteering gradually works better than going from zero to full-time helper overnight.
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