Kathleen Hall, contributor
WASHINGTON — Studies continue to show that people with a sense of purpose
live longer and experience positive health benefits, including effects on
aging.
One study followed 6,000 people for 14 years; another followed 9,000 people
for 8.5 years. In both studies, groups of people who lived with a greater
sense of purpose and direction in life were more likely to outlive their
peers.
This could be because people who live with a purpose lead healthier lives, or
because that sense of purpose creates resilience to stress, a driver of all
diseases. Science continues to prove negative emotions, such as stress and
fear, change bodies and have a harmful effect on your health.
Chronic stress can cause chronic illnesses, such as heart disease,
hypertension, diabetes and stroke, just to name a few.
Positive emotions, optimism and social support from friends and family create
resilience to stress, disease and illness.
Tips for creating your purposeful life
- Awareness. To what are you drawn? What sparks your curiosity
and puts a smile on your face? - Inspiration. Who or what inspires you? What person’s life would you
like to emulate? What idea or concept have you seen that captivates you? - Write it down. Take your life’s thoughts and passions seriously by
writing them down. Most people trivialize their passions and put them on the
back burner for later. Write them down and put your purpose in life on the
front burner. - Social support. Surround yourself with people who support your
dreams, goals and purpose in life. Find someone — even if it is only one
person — to lean on or to help keep you focused and on track. - Joy. When you experience your purpose — even a glimpse of it —
you will experience the exhilarating feeling of pure joy, fulfillment and
happiness.
Follow @WTOPLiving and @WTOP on Twitter.
