One hobby that seniors often take on is volunteering. In fact, in 2018, the Corporation for National and Community Services found that seniors contributed 2.2 billion hours of volunteering in the U.S., which made up for a little over 30% of all volunteer service in the country.

One reason that volunteering is a great option for seniors is that, according to studies, seniors who volunteer experience lower rates of depression, higher levels of overall well-being, and even reduced mortality rates. Volunteering can help reduce stress, offer a sense of accomplishment, and help improve seniors’ confidence and sense of purpose as they transition into retirement.

There are endless opportunities to give back to your community, many of which allow for you to socialize with people who share similar interests. One volunteer opportunity that many seniors take on is tutoring elementary students with their reading, which also helps seniors play a rewarding mentoring role. Another volunteer option could be at a local arts center where you may be able to benefit from free admission to performances and galleries.

Whatever you choose, organizations are often more in need of people’s time than they are money, so finding an organization or position that is important to you and getting involved can be an invaluable gift for others.