人教版（2019）选择性必修四高中英语 Unit 4 Sharing Section I

Helping and supporting others may be key to living a longer and healthier life, according to new research from the University of Basel in Switzerland. The findings published in the journal Evolution and Human Behaviour, show that grandparents who care for their grandchildren enjoy longer lifespans. So do old people who care for others within their social networks.

Using data from the Berlin Aging Study, the researchers analysed the longevity(寿命) and caregiving habits of more than 500 old people between the ages of 70 and 103. The study compared grandparents who acted as occasional caregivers with those who did not. It also compared these grandparents with old adults who did not have grandchildren but cared for people within their social networks.

Those grandparents who did not play the role of attending to grandchildren were more likely to have died within just five years of the testing period. While those old adults who provided support to their family lived for an extra seven years on average and those provided support to their social networks lived for an extra four years on average.

Although the new study only focused on old adults, it's safe to assume that the health benefits of helping and taking care of others also reach those of all ages. However, it's important to note that too much caregiving often has just the opposite effect. There's a clear link between too much caregiving and a number of negative physical and mental health consequences.

Anyone who has ever volunteered for any cause can tell you that in the end, they felt that they gained more from the experience than they gave. This is true for most examples of reaching out to help others. We find that we gain new understanding about not only those we help, but ourselves as well. Stressing the importance of helping others in martial arts, students will benefit themselves both inside and outside of the class.

Helping others strengthens families. Families that practise the belief of working together and helping each other prepare their children for the concept of teamwork outside of the home environment. By learning to help around the house through activities such as household jobs, baby-sitting and keeping a tidy bedroom, children learn valuable lessons that they carry with them to their future relationships.

By helping others outside of the home environment, valuable friendships can be developed. When we learn to reach out to others and give off our time and talents we find that our friendships grow, which in turn is a benefit to our lives. Martial arts training supports this by exposing students to people of various backgrounds and beliefs that gather for a common goal and to help each other. Any time a group of people are working towards a common goal, team spirit surely forms. When we help each other in the martial arts setting and in every area of our lives, a friendship is formed that promotes teamwork.

The most important thing to realise is that it does not take a lot to make a lot happen. Little things can make a big difference in the area of helping others. Simple gestures of kindness and support given frequently can build a strong base for the growth and development of each individual which leads to the success of all.

Have you ever considered volunteering? It gives you a chance to make contributions. You'll feel a sense of pride that you are volunteering your time, and a local organisation will benefit, too. But how to volunteer? Follow the three steps before you enjoy it.

Pick an organisation. You're likely to be happier and volunteer longer at an organisation that supports a cause you care about. For example, if you're interested in animal welfare, maybe you want to volunteer at an animal shelter. Much like job search sites, you can also use volunteer websites like Volunteer Match to help you find volunteer opportunities in your area. If you still can't narrow down where you want to volunteer, start asking people you know where they volunteer.

Be clear what you can offer. First identify your skills. For example, maybe you could write brochures for local nonprofits if writing is your style. You need to be sure how much time you can give to an organisation based on your other commitments. If you try to do too much, you're more likely to give up. 

 Treat the application like a job. Spend some time preparing for the interview, much as you would for a job interview. Ask what's expected of volunteers. For instance, volunteers at a museum may be expected to learn parts of the galleries to give tours. Start volunteering slowly. That is, it's better to commit to just a little bit of time at first to see if you like volunteering at the organisation.

A. Apply and get started.

B. Volunteer in person or online.

C. Then don't forget to review your weekly schedule.

D. You'd better focus on the causes you like very much.

E. You may find one of them has the perfect opportunity for you.

F. It is also a time for you to judge whether the organisation is fit for you.

G. First find an organisation that's a good fit for you, and then decide what you have to offer.