A survey found that people who volunteer are happier with their current lives, expect to live longer than the rest of the population and are more optimistic.
The survey was conducted online with a cross section of 2,330 adults nationwide in the United States and found volunteers believe they will live longer and have better lives today.
- 49% of volunteers are very happy with their lives, compared with 31% of non-volunteers.
- 58% of volunteers definitely want to live to 100, and, when they consider their family’s health history, some 44% believe this will happen for them.
- By a 13-point margin, volunteers are more likely to say this is one of the best times or at least a good time in their lives.
- When it comes to self-evaluating where they stand in our society, nearly two in five volunteers say they are the best off, compared with only a quarter of non-volunteers.
- Those who volunteer are more likely to describe life as an “old person” as being “fulfilling,” “meaningful” and “fun,” while the non-volunteers see life for “old people” as “relaxing,” “lonely” and “boring.”
Compared to non-volunteers, those who volunteer are more likely to say they already are doing well with their finances, getting exercise and eating healthy. They also are more focused on the present, whereas those who do not volunteer are more likely to say that they will work on improving their finances, job situation and start exercising more at some point in the future.
The survey was jointly undertaken by the Stanford Center on Longevity and Time to supplement the major Sightlines Project Report that provides a report card on where Americans stand in preparing for healthy, long lives.
Source: PR Newswire
