Volunteering 2 Hours a Week Slows Brain Aging by Up to 20%

According to a study published on November 8, 2025, volunteering or regularly offering informal help to others can significantly slow down cognitive aging. Researchers analyzed data from over 30,000 U.S. adults over 20 years and found that people who spent around 2-4 hours per week helping others had 15-20% less age-related cognitive decline compared to those who did not.

The study's lead author, Sae Hwang Han, PhD, explains that volunteering and helping others engage both the brain and body in ways that protect against cognitive aging. These activities provide social connection, a sense of purpose, and cognitive stimulation - all of which are linked to better brain health. Neuroscientist Faye Begeti, PhD, adds that the key to preventing cognitive decline is to continually challenge our brains, and volunteering is a wonderful way to do that.

Interestingly, the researchers found that in-person volunteering may be the most potent, as it strengthens the social and psychological rewards that promote cognitive health. However, remote or virtual volunteering could still offer benefits if it's cognitively stimulating or provides meaningful human connection.