Researchers from the University of Michigan released results of a study of family caregivers today. Their study focused on finding the answer to the question: Does caregiving shorten or lengthen a family caregiver’s life?
Researchers found that caregiving spouses were almost 30 percent less likely to die during the study period than those who spent no time helping. The researchers believe their results–that helping helps the helper–are reflected in other studies. A study showed that animals release higher levels of a stress-reducing hormone called oxytocin when they are parenting. Another study found that people who volunteer tend to live longer than those who don’t.
So, it seems, the good work you do is actually good for you.
What do you think? Do you believe you will enjoy a longer life because of your caregiving role?
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=230c7a6b-8094-416b-ad2d-589b0074f26a)
