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Volunteer for a Healthier New Year!
January/February 2025
 SOHO educator-docents talking to an attentive group of visitors at the Marston House Museum. Photo by Sandé Lollis |
As we welcome the New Year, many of us resolve to exercise more, eat healthier, and prioritize our well-being. But did you know there’s another powerful way to boost your health that doesn’t require a gym membership or a special diet? Volunteering!
It’s not just good for the community—it’s great for you, too. According to the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), volunteering is a dynamic form of social participation that promotes overall well-being and healthy aging. By lending a hand at tours, events, or preservation efforts, you’re not only helping SOHO with our preservation and educational goals but also investing in your own vitality.
Volunteering offers surprising health perks that are backed by science. Research shows it can reduce inflammation, a key factor in aging, and even contribute to a more youthful biological profile. Interestingly, individuals over age 70 benefit the most, staying engaged, active, and connected—all essential elements for healthy aging.
In his book, The Healing Power of Doing Good, Allen Luks highlights how helping others releases endorphins, lowers stress, and enhances both physical and mental health. When we give back, we also receive—through reduced anxiety, increased happiness, more social interaction, and a stronger sense of purpose.
Emily Ansell from Yale University’s School of Medicine echoes this, emphasizing that volunteering lifts up both the giver and the receiver. By making a difference in the lives of others, you’re also boosting your own well-being. Not least, you'll be making new friends and deepening your knowledge of San Diego.
At SOHO, every act of service—whether guiding a tour, writing an article for this newsletter, or contacting elected officials for preservation action—helps safeguard San Diego’s rich history while enriching your life. Volunteering with us offers a meaningful opportunity to connect with other like-minded volunteers, preserve irreplaceable landmarks and heritage, and improve your health.
Make 2025 the year you experience the healing power of giving back. Join SOHO’s volunteer family, and discover how helping others helps you.
Sign up today and start your journey toward a healthier, happier preservation-focused New Year!
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