Be kind, live longer? The surprising health benefits of giving back
Both helping others and maintaining a sense of optimism and gratitude in our personal lives can yield numerous mental and physical health benefits, from improving our mood to reducing blood pressure. Recent research has shown that people who frequently volunteer tend to live longer lives and that practicing gratitude can reduce smoking cravings. The panelists discussed ways to encourage prosocial behaviors, such as altruism, cooperation, compassion, and empathy, and, in turn, improve the health of both individuals and their communities.
