It's the Treadmill or Volunteering!

There have been numerous studies over the years that have discovered a link between good health and volunteering. According to Gerontology News (March, 2009) there is new research by Johns Hopkins making the link. The study focused on African American women, aged 60 and older, who volunteered in schools through the Experience Corps. Researchers found that these women were more physically active than a non-volunteering conterpart group, and that they sustained this level of physical activity over time. Those who volunteered also burned twice the calories of those who did not. Another study conducted with the volunteers found that they showed greater improvements in memory and executive function than non-volunteers. According to Johns Hopkins' researcher, Dr. Erwin Tan, "Volunteering with children may be as good for their health as gym membership." Its a lot cheaper, too!