Why civic engagement is good for your brain

Last week I volunteered to help serve lunch at my daughter’s school. Over the years, I have often found myself scooping out the pasta, pouring glasses of water, all while saying hi to her friends and getting hugs (lots of hugs, that is of course the best part of being there!). Yet this past visit I found myself thinking about the many reasons why helping out at my daughter’s school was good for my brain.

Research has suggested for several years that engaging our brain in many different ways is a good idea, both for preserving everyday function as well as promoting long term brain health. Several studies have focused specifically on the benefits of volunteering, especially in older adults.

via Brain Fitness: Improve Memory, Brain Games & More -Prevention.com – Prevention.com.