From an early age, most of us were taught the value of lending a helping hand — whether that’s checking in on a neighbour, assisting a friend, or volunteering for a good cause.

Now, new research suggests that those small acts of kindness could do far more than just make someone’s day — they might actually help keep your brain sharp as you age.

Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Massachusetts Boston studied more than 30,000 adults across the United States over two decades. They found that the rate of age-related cognitive decline dropped by 15–20 per cent among people who regularly volunteered their time or helped others in informal ways — like lending a hand to friends, neighbours or family outside their household.

Interestingly, the biggest benefits were seen among those who devoted just two to four hours a week to helping others.

“Everyday acts of support — whether organized or personal — can have lasting cognitive impact,” said Sae Hwang Han, an assistant professor of human development and family sciences at the University of Texas who led the study.

“What stood out to me was that the cognitive benefits of helping others weren’t just short-term boosts but cumulative over time with sustained engagement, and these benefits were evident for both formal volunteering and informal helping. And in addition to that, moderate engagement of just two to four hours was consistently linked to robust benefits.”

Interestingly, informal helping — which often goes unrecognised — was found to be just as beneficial as formal volunteering.

“It was a pleasant surprise to find that it provides cognitive benefits comparable to formal volunteering,” Han added.

The research drew on long-term data from the national Health and Retirement Study, which has tracked U.S. adults over 51 since 1998. Even after accounting for other factors like income, health, and education, the link between helping behaviours and slower cognitive decline remained strong.

The takeaway? Keeping up those habits of kindness — whether it’s volunteering at a community centre, running errands for a neighbour, or simply being there for family and friends — may not only strengthen social bonds but also help preserve your cognitive health over time.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.