Living a life full of purpose leads to a feeling of higher satisfaction. Not only does it increase life longevity, but it makes it less likely to die from heart, circulatory, and digestive diseases.
How Does Purpose Make You Live Longer?
A study was conducted following 7,000 people over the age of 50 for 10+ years. They determined that people were more likely to die at a younger age if they felt a lack of purpose.
There is a strong association between life purpose and mortality in the United States. Numerous studies have been held in different populations and the outcome always seems to be the same, life purpose leads to longevity.
What Gives Your Life Purpose?
It’s about finding what’s most valuable to you, whether it’s community, achievement, reputation, relationships, spirituality, or kindness. Any of these things can give your life purpose and there isn’t any specific definition for one person.
A study was done in America based on adults over the age of 50, born between 1931 and 1941. Research was collected from 6,985 participants that filled out a survey. They had seven items to rate on a scale of one to six.
Some of the seven selections were, “I enjoy making plans for the future and working to make them a reality”, “My daily activities often seem trivial to me”, I don’t have a good sense of what i’m trying to accomplish in life”, and “ I live life one day at a time and don’t really think about the future.”
What The Study Showed?
When scores were higher on the survey it showed a greater purpose in life. Those who scored lower on the survey had a higher chance of dying before the study ended. The participants with the lowest life purpose had higher chances of dying from heart, circulatory, and blood conditions, compared to those with higher scores.
Also, the lowest life purpose scores were twice as likely to die from digestive tract conditions. Other studies showed that feeling a low purpose in life can lead to higher levels of inflammatory markers and stress hormones.
How To Feel Satisfaction In Life?
The good thing is those scores don’t need to be definite, your life purpose scores can be changed. Doing things like yoga and meditation can help build a purpose in life. Also, taking part in things like volunteering can increase your feelings of well-being. Take steps like these to improve your life purpose.
Going further into the aspect of volunteering, it can be a good plan of action for those searching for a life purpose. It creates someone to be more altruistic and to engage in compassionate behavior. By helping other people in life you can find your own goals and meaning in life.
Start out by attending a weekly event for volunteering, such as meals on wheels. Once you feel a sense of community you can grow from there in helping out the cause.
The Victorian Assisted Living and Retirement Community
The Victorian is an assisted living and retirement community that makes living independently, while at the same time feeling safe and secure, a reality. We strive to provide the best quality of life for all residents including those suffering from loneliness and depression.
We offer a comprehensive activity program that includes both physical and social activities to encourage emotional well-being. Our staff is trained to assist those with depression. If you or a loved one are considering assisted living, contact The Victorian today to learn more about our services or tour our community.
