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Civic engagement, such as volunteering, has surprisingly positive effects on mental health and well-being.

Likewise, the act of voting can improve mental and physical health.

A recent study suggests that just casting a vote may even lower mortality risk in older people.

In his recent book, The Land and Its People, humorist David Sedaris describes a conversation with his professional driver who believed that voting was just "a big waste of time." Sedaris concludes:

“We continued to talk for the rest of the trip…but by this point he was all but dead to me. I’d rather spend time with someone who’s for the other side—who, in effect, cancels my vote—than with some two-dollar cynic who can’t be bothered.”

Unfortunately, there seems to be a lot of “two-dollar cynics” out there. And who can blame them? But, as we approach the upcoming elections, it’s a good time to challenge that cynicism by reflecting on how voting can affect not only the health of our democracy but also our personal health. I’ve previously described research showing that voting can have numerous health benefits, including both better physical and mental health. Now, new research by PT blogger Dr. Sara Konrath and her colleague Dr. Femida Handy finds that seniors who vote live longer. Despite my previous writings about voting, even I was surprised by the strength of this finding. Before describing........

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