There’s something satisfying about volunteering. Studies have shown that volunteering helps people who donate their time feel more socially connected, thus warding off loneliness and depression. But a growing body of evidence suggests that people who give their time to others might also be rewarded with better physical health, including lower blood pressure and a longer lifespan.

Evidence of volunteerism’s physical effects can be found in a recent study from Carnegie Mellon University, published this month in Psychology and Aging. Adults over age 50 who volunteered on a regular basis were less likely to develop high blood pressure than non-volunteers. High blood pressure is an important indicator of health because it contributes to heart disease, stroke, and premature death.

It’s impossible for this study to prove that volunteering was directly responsible for the lower blood pressure. People who volunteer may be more likely to do other things, like eating a healthy diet or exercise, which lower blood pressure. But the results are in line with other findings on the topic.

How might volunteering contribute to lower blood pressure？Performing volunteer work could increase physical activity among people who aren’t otherwise very active, says leading study author Rodlescia Sneed, a doctoral candidate in social and health psychology at Carnegie Mellon University. It may also reduce stress. “Many people find volunteer work helpful with respect to stress reduction, and we know that stress is very strongly linked to health out-comes,” she says.

A 2012 study in the journal Health Psychology found that participants who volunteered with some regularity lived longer, but only if their intentions were truly altruistic. In other words, they had to be volunteering to help others-not to make themselves feel better.

The Greek philosopher Aristotle once guessed that the essence of life is “To serve others and do good.” If recent research is any indication, serving others might also be the essence of good health.

Captain John Bunch loves to go fishing. In fact, Bunch loves fishing so much that he became a professional fishing guide decades ago and has remained one ever since. There is something, however, that Bunch loves even more. That is his country and the men and women who join the army to protect it. Ever since Bunch met a young soldier in 2005, who wanted to go on a fishing trip before he left the army, the Florida native has offered over 1 200 fishing trips to veterans, with all expenses paid.

And Bunch’s efforts to give back to those who have served their nation go even much further. Inspired by that fishing trip 11 years ago, he founded Operation Open Arms, which has since helped nearly 3 400 US troops and given out more than $12 million in direct benefits with his charity. Operation Open Arms also provides free weddings, vacations, and more leisurely activities to veterans, and can rely on a network of over 300 businesses and individual partners to get former soldiers anything they might need upon returning home from army.

The former marine’s heartwarming generosity is a result of his own experiences in the military and the pride he has for his country. "I do this because I love my country and I do this because America is the greatest country in the world," he told NBC’s Today Show. Bunch’s unwavering commitment goes so far that he once turned down an invitation from then-President George W. Bush, because he had already scheduled a fishing trip with one of his veterans. Even the military has recognized Bunch’s work of love, and earlier this year honored him and his organization with the Outstanding Civilian Service Award and the Army’s most prestigious civilian award.

Teamwork is an important part of the health and fitness program at Spirit Club, where most of the participants have disabilities.

Jared Ciner created the program two years ago, “Our main focus is the same thing as any other gym’s, which is to help people be active and healthy, but the difference is that we do change a little bit to make sure that it is right pace for the people we are working with, so that everybody can follow along.”

Ciner used to work as a director for a local organization aimed at helping people with disabilities and as apart-time personal trainer at gyms. “I noticed that many of the people who I was working with who had disabilities did not exercise, struggled with weight problems, and were looking for more physical methods and more social ways,” he said.

His volunteer experience in Ethiopia working with children from very poor families helped him understand the influence of organized physical activity, too. “That helped me realize how much organized physical activity can help people connect to each other and increase people’s self-esteem (自尊),” Ciner said.

Classes at Spirit Club are interactive, and students can come with parents. They participate in partnered workouts and learn balance, strength, speed and agility (灵活性). They are also encouraged to eat right.

Alan Bradshaw, who is mentally disabled, has been coming to classes for two years. “He recently lost 21 pounds,” said his mother. “He is more outgoing. When he first started, he couldn’t sit on the floor, get down on the floor. He is doing that now. Great changes have happened to him and it is an important step forward for him. He likes the gym because he can make friends easily and exercise at the same time,” she said.