Slow Biological Aging by Volunteering
You can slow biological aging with as little as one to four hours of volunteering a week according to this study published in Social Science & Medicine. This finding may not be surprising. Volunteering is a cornerstone of one of the Blue Zones inhabited by the Seventh Day Adventists in Loma Linda, California. Blue Zones are places across the globe where a higher percentage of the population lives over 90 and even 100 years of age.
To understand how to slow biological aging you need some understanding of the hallmarks of aging. We wrote about 12 hallmarks but there may be as many as 16. One of those hallmarks is something called epigenetic alterations. Epigenetics is the study of how behaviors and environment change how our genes work. Genes are either turned on and off and our environment and health behaviors influence that switching on and off of genes.
Epigenetic Aging
The study found that volunteering was linked to less epigenetic age acceleration. Epigenetic changes include DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, non-coding RNA (ncRNA) regulation, and RNA modification, all of which participate in the regulation of the aging process, and hence contribute to aging-related diseases.
The study looked at five DNA methylation measures. In other words, the study employed some high technology to quantify the declaration of aging. Retirees who volunteered saw more deceleration of biological aging than those still working. Regardless of work status, volunteering more than four hours a week was associated with the largest reduction in biological age acceleration.
Why Volunteering Slows Biological Aging
There are a couple theories why volunteering slows biological aging. Volunteering frequently involves some form of physical activity such as walking or possibly light lifting which improves health. Volunteering provides social connections which have been shown to decrease stress and improve cognitive function plus provides a sense of well-being and belonging. Strong social connections is a common denominator among the Blue Zones.
Ways to Volunteer
Ways to volunteer is only limited by your imagination. Follow this link to discover 65 volunteer ideas. The elderly, especially in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, are a neglected population. Consider reading to them or play board games or card games, or simply listen to their stories. Every one has a story to tell. Other organizations that can help you get started with volunteering include:
