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Research shows that purpose and meaning in life are associated with the highest levels of happiness. Father of positive psychology, Martin Seligman, Ph.D., [3] teaches that many people live the “pleasant life,” which consists of experiencing positive emotion on a regular basis.
More specifically, it's thought that life purpose, or engaging in purpose-driven behaviors, is just one thing that contributes to a meaningful life. When you have purpose in your life, you likely feel good about the way you are living your life.
- Happiness
- Healthy Habits
- Stronger Personal Relationships
- Wealth
- Health
- Longevity
- Better Sleep
- Reduced Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
- Better Mental Health
- Better Heart Health
The researchers found that a sense of purpose promoted happiness and well-being among adults 50-90. “Happiness” included a range of positive feelings from pleasure to life satisfaction to the sense of contribution to a larger purpose.
Older adults with a sense of purpose were more likely to practice healthy habits, according to the study. For example, participants with high rankings on PIL were more likely to exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, watch less TV, participate in the arts, and avoid sedentary behaviors. Along the same lines, a recent surveyof more than 500 adult pa...
Higher ratings for the belief that life is worthwhile were correlated to the likelihood of having a life partner, less risk of divorce, more contact with friends, membership in various organizations, volunteering, and a greater number of close relationships. Not surprisingly, those with strong PIL also experienced less loneliness.
In addition to a wealth of benefits of purpose in life, PIL also brought wealth itself. Sense of purpose was associated with greater prosperity, including income, paid employment, and assets, even after taking baseline wealth into account.
High “Life is worthwhile” rankings were correlated with better self-rated health, a lower incidence of chronic illness, less chronic pain, lower incidence of depression, and higher functional fitness. As if that weren’t enough, other studies have heaped more onto the already full plate of purpose benefits, including these:
A study of almost 7,000 U.S. adults over 50 published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2019 concluded that individuals with stronger purpose in life had lower all-cause mortality. Having a purpose also decreased the chance of prematuredeath. Even after controlling for such factors as depression and chronic illness, those with a...
In a studyof older adults, 428 Black and 397 White, researchers discovered that those with a higher level of meaning and purpose in life had better sleep quality. Moreover, they had fewer problems with sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome.
In a seven-year study of more than 900 residents in senior housing facilities, researchers discovered that greater purpose in life was associated with a substantially lower rate of incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Even when some study participants were afflicted with AD, higher levels of purpose in life seemed to have a protective effect on c...
A small study of 77 people in treatment for addictions found that those who had a sense of existential purpose and meaning in life had fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety, as described here. This result jibes with the U.K. study above, which also discovered that PIL was correlated with fewer depressive symptoms.
Reviewing the data on heart health and purpose in life from 10 studies of 136,000 people, cardiologist Randy Cohen concluded that "people with a low sense of purpose... were more likely to have a stroke, heart attack, or coronary artery disease requiring a stent or bypass surgery." By contrast, those with a strong PIL had a 19 percent reduction in ...
Jun 2, 2023 · Living a purposeful life means finding meaning and impact in everything you do. It's about discovering your passions, values, and goals, and aligning them with your actions. When you live with intention and purpose, you'll find greater happiness, fulfillment, and success.
May 27, 2023 · Meaning in life “may be defined as the extent to which a person experiences his or her life as having purpose, significance, and coherence.” Whether meaning is derived from thoughtful reflection or only as a byproduct of cognitive processing, it is vital for healthy mental functioning.
Jul 11, 2023 · Living life with purpose basically means applying your individual skills in a manner that contributes to the greater good, but in a way that has meaning to you. To help recognize what you care about, it’s beneficial to ask yourself what you are good at.
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Aug 6, 2020 · While hardship can lead to purpose, most people probably find purpose in a more meandering way, says Bronk—through a combination of education, experience, and self-reflection, often helped along by encouragement from others. But finding your purpose can be jump-started, too, given the right tools.
