Serving Others Also Serves Yourself — Dave’s Diary

Most of us were taught that it is better to give than receive. Good advice when you consider that giving of yourself to help others out could actually keep you alive, according to new research.

A review of 40 international studies found that those who regularly help out in their community are 20-percent less likely to die prematurely than those who never volunteer.

Sorry, we aren’t talking court ordered community service.  Researchers say the review showed that volunteering also has a positive effect on mental health by increasing satisfaction and reducing depression. Researchers admit that they're still unsure if healthier people were just more likely to have time and energy to volunteer, or whether volunteering to help others actually improved their health. (Daily Mail)