Tell other people about us
Volunteering Can Lessen The Loneliness Felt After Losing a Spouse
Two or more hours of volunteer work a week can help combat feelings of social isolation and loneliness in recently widowed men and women, says a multicenter study. Researchers collected data on nearly 6,000 married adults over age 50. Over eight years, 667 became widowed. Widows and widowers who volunteered reported less intense levels of loneliness than those who didn't volunteer. In fact, after their spouse's death, volunteers experienced no more loneliness than people who remained married.
THE CAVEAT: To reap the benefits of volunteering, you must do it consistently for at least two hours a week -- or about 100 times a year -- not just a few times a year. Past evidence has shown that engaging in volunteer work is associated with boosting the spirits and health of volunteers, despite marital status.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: Besides offsetting loneliness, volunteering can improve self-esteem and give you a sense of purpose. Learn more about volunteer opportunities: Visit the Corporation for National and Community Service's Senior Corps at www.nationalservice.gov/programs/senior-corps, which includes programs specifically aimed at older adults; the government's official website at www.volunteer.gov; or the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org/support/volunteer.
~ Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences