Health
Volunteer for Well-Being
Third Agers may not get as much out of volunteering now as when they retire, but researchers say it's good for your health to get in the habit early. A Cornell University study says working folks who volunteer know they are doing a community service but do not find their level of well-being as enhanced as retirees who volunteer.
The study says retirees and older workers seem to enjoy significantly enhanced psychological and physical health, probably because volunteering connects them socially and provides routines, rituals and additional purpose. Cornell sociologist Phyllis Moen says well being is defined as a sense of mastery over your life, self-esteem, life satisfaction and energy levels.
Moen says, "Since paid work seems to give workers a sense of purpose and well-being in the prime adult years, our study suggests that volunteering in community organizations does the same for retirees." She recommends Third Agers become active in their communities early on, since volunteering rates don't rise with retirement.
Moen bases her findings on data from the Cornell Retirement and Well-Being Study, which includes interviews with 763 older workers and retirees from six companies in upstate New York. She says about 30 percent of Third Agers are expected to volunteer when they retire.
The study says retirees and older workers seem to enjoy significantly enhanced psychological and physical health, probably because volunteering connects them socially and provides routines, rituals and additional purpose. Cornell sociologist Phyllis Moen says well being is defined as a sense of mastery over your life, self-esteem, life satisfaction and energy levels.
Moen says, "Since paid work seems to give workers a sense of purpose and well-being in the prime adult years, our study suggests that volunteering in community organizations does the same for retirees." She recommends Third Agers become active in their communities early on, since volunteering rates don't rise with retirement.
Moen bases her findings on data from the Cornell Retirement and Well-Being Study, which includes interviews with 763 older workers and retirees from six companies in upstate New York. She says about 30 percent of Third Agers are expected to volunteer when they retire.
