One of the first pieces of advice that Dan Buettner, founder of Blue Zones, always gives as a way to improve your life, health, and happiness is to sign up to volunteer in your community. It’s a long-term investment in your health and in your city if you sign up to do it regularly, and chances are you’ll meet like-minded people along the way.
In Hawai‘i, we use this principle by highlighting local volunteer opportunities and creating opportunities for groups to volunteer together or for individuals to participate in on their own. Whether it's picking up litter at a beach, sending letters to kūpuna, or distributing food boxes to families, it's been proven that helping others benefits our own health, just as it benefits those we serve.
