- Details
- Written by: Kamran Mofid
- Hits: 6187
Following on my previous blogs on “Volunteerism”, such as The Good Life: In Pursuit of Happiness?, Why Love, Trust, Respect and Gratitude Trumps Economics, In Praise of Generosity, Compassion and Kindness: Lessons of London 2012, In Praise of Volunteerism: If you want to change yourself and the world for better, think of volunteerism, and In Praise of Caring, Volunteerism and Service for the Common Good: The Story of Camila Batmanghelidjh, I am now delighted to tell you that, according to medical science and research, indeed, volunteering is truly good for you.
Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, USA and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, have documented that:
* Being a volunteer is good for the heart as well as the soul
* Volunteers have healthier cardiovascular systems
* Heart health improves after 10 weeks' volunteering
* The most empathetic see the greatest health benefits
* Older volunteers are less likely to be depressed
* Volunteers have lower levels of inflammation and cholesterol and lower BMIs than non-volunteers
The above study follows a survey last year by the UK charity WRVS which found being an older volunteer is good for your health.
Older people who volunteer to help others are less depressed, have a better quality of life and are happier with their lives as a result.
Those who take part in more volunteering activities, more frequently, boost happiness levels even further, with volunteers gaining improvements in depression levels, quality of life and life satisfaction over the following two years.
Read more:
Volunteering is not only good for your soul, it could also stave off heart disease
- Details
- Written by: Kamran Mofid
- Hits: 4080
Following on my blog of 31 January 2013, The Wisdom of "ubuntu": Giving and Sharing for the Common Good, I am now delighted to highlight the giving and sharing for the common good of another “Ubuntuian”: Sir Richard Branson.
'Stuff does not bring happiness': Sir Richard Branson pledges to give away half his Virgin fortune to 'make a difference in the world'
“Sir Richard Branson is among the latest crop of billionaires who have promised to donate at least half their fortune to charity.
- Details
- Written by: Kamran Mofid
- Hits: 2618
“Do you grudgingly accept there is no fundamental alternative to how things are, hard times and difficult choices? Then come to Goodland. You might want to live here.
Its president refuses the state mansion. He gives away 90% of his pay, living on the national average wage to share in the struggles of his people. Goodland has a new constitution, written by citizens. When its financial sector fell apart, speculators had to take their losses and the guilty were taken to court, not given a public bailout.
The country has a dynamic, largely mutually owned, local banking system. It avoids bad risk and bends over backwards to help small businesses. In Goodland, human wellbeing is more important than economic growth. There is a national plan for good living, free health and education services, subsidised childcare allowing for a more equal workplace, and support for the elderly. It has a law enshrining protection of its life-supporting ecosystems that stands above all other laws.
Goodland's cities are green and grow healthy, organic food for the inhabitants. A phase-out of most fossil fuels is planned by 2017, and its business sector has large, intelligently connected and productive cooperatives. A shorter working week is available by choice.
Utter fantasy? No. Goodland exists.