The Oaks at Ojai (California)
Always looking out to find significant health news and important fitness studies, I knew when I read in "The Lark Letter," by my good friend Susan Lark, how sharing, giving and helping can have long-lasting and positive affect the immune system I had to share it with you. It seems that the more we do for the others, the better it is for us. I call that win-win plus! And if you've not thought of giving away your time for worthy causes, it's time to listen up. Volunteering is good for you.
Dr. Lark cites a number of scientific studies that indicate those who give of themselves with time and energy have a higher level of health than those who are miserly with themselves. This isn't some "California" idea for getting folks involved in volunteering, but true research that I hope will spark an active interest in your life.
Dr. Lark reports on an impressive study completed at the University of Michigan. She writes, "a researcher followed 2,700 people for more than a decade to determine how their social relationships affected their health. He found that more than doing any other activity, doing volunteer work improved health and increased life expectancy."
Now putting a fitness twist on this, here are some tips to help you increase your feeling of well-being, promote your family's and your own health and even live longer. Use these ideas to launch your own "helping hand fitness routine," and be sure to share this column with loved ones.
*Visit a local Y and see how your fitness skills can help others. You may not feel qualified to teach a swimming class, for example, but the swim teacher probably can use a helper.
*Call your senior center and offer to lead or assist with classes suited well for those who have mobility problems, such as chair aerobics, stretching and self-massage.
*Talk to your kids and family about spending time doing volunteer projects in your community or church. Not only will you be improving your locale, but also you'll get a "helper's high," that is the internal response one gets from giving assistance.
*Take up a cause and organize a fitness-related event, such as a walk or cycling meet. While any hospital or health center could use some extra funding or exposure, you can also walk, run or ride for wildlife in the local forest or the birds in the hills near your town.
*Study a sport you can share or at least learn the rules. Kids' soccer teams, hockey, skating events and other sports are always in need of coaches and umpires. You may never get to go pro as a NFL coach, but a group of kids who may never get to play without your help will never forget their experience.
*Look around your city and neighborhood. Are there seniors who could use some help with the garden (great exercise), mowing their lawn, trimming trees? To increase your own health, you will have to spend time on others, but just reread those studies about psychoneuroimmunology. This is a fancy word meaning that there's a connection in your physical, emotional and spiritual health.
*Do some little things to make a big difference. Dr. Eva Shaw, author of "Shovel It: Nature's Health Plan" (Writeriffic Publishing Group) is an authority on gardening as therapy. She says, "Never ever throw away a garden magazine or brochure. Rather drop them off at a hospital, clinic or the library." Why this statement? "Because numerous studies have shown that just viewing a picture or a photograph of a garden can help people deal with stress, can lower blood pressure and even help the body to heal.."
Often times during a period of significant change, we move inward and yet, by doing the opposite, we can help ourselves to better health. Give some time to others. Share your talents and energy. What will you get? You will, without a doubt, stay fit for life.
|
|
 |
|
