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JU Prof. Heather Hausenblas discusses volunteerism’s value to our health in Florida Times-Union

JU Associate Exercise Science Prof. Heather Hausenblas weighs in on the power of doing good in a Florida Times-Union article on volunteerism that appeared on Sunday, Oct. 20.

The Jacksonville area rates high in volunteerism, according to U.S. Census Bureau surveys, with 32.2 percent or 351,300 area residents volunteering in religious, educational, social service, health, civic, sports and arts arenas, reporter Sandy Strickland writes. Its ranking has risen from No. 33 to No. 5 over the past three years.

Hausenblas discusses the health benefit that comes with volunteering.

Here’s an excerpt:

When people volunteer, they report that they feel less stressed and less anxious and thus have more energy, said Heather Hausenblas, associate professor in the College of Health Sciences at Jacksonville University.

“It puts people in a good mood,” she said.

If you feel good about yourself, Hausenblas said, it decreases those stress hormone levels that can elevate heart rate and blood pressure.

Read the entire article here.