On the physical side, a strong “Why” might even help you live a longer and healthier life. Some of the studies I've read have found that individuals with the highest sense of purpose had a 46% lower risk of mortality over several years compared to those with the lowest sense of purpose. In fact, the longevity boost from having "Purpose" was comparable to the effect of healthy habits like not smoking or staying active. Purpose-driven people are also less likely to develop heart disease or cognitive decline, and they tend to take better care of themselves through exercise, good sleep, and preventive health measures. As one Harvard Health report noted,
being engaged by meaningful pursuits doesn’t just lift your spirits – it may literally keep your heart beating longer. Those with a clear purpose often have lower stress hormone levels and even show stronger immune function and
But what happens when life throws a curveball and your purpose is suddenly in question? Lots of us derive purpose from our careers, roles, or abilities; I know I did! A dramatic life change – whether it’s a health crisis, job loss, retirement, or personal trauma – can turn that sense of direction on its head overnight. Psychologists say that it’s common for someone's sense of purpose to falter or change after such major events. In fact, purpose is not a fixed destination but an evolving journey for us all. It’s normal (although a little unsettling) to feel “rudderless” and a bit lost for a time when the goals that you once used to guide you no longer apply. Harvard did a survey of young adults and found that more than half had recently felt they lacked meaning or purpose (which seems almost common
Importantly, needing to reset your purpose is not a personal failure; it’s a human experience most of us experience at some stage in our life. As one of the psychologists I read an article from on this explains, people often change their purpose after significant life transitions like the death of a loved one, children leaving home, or a serious illness. There’s even a term, “purpose anxiety" (mark in the sand here for me right now!), for the stress and worry that can arise when you’re searching for a new life direction during these difficult periods. The key is remembering that purpose can be re-found or reinvented. What gave us meaning in our 20's is extremely unlikely to be the same in our 50's. And that’s okay! In my case, a health upheaval forced me to pause and question what my "Why" or "Purpose" really is now, at this upside down period in my life. I learned (sometimes the hard way) that you can’t simply check a box next to “Find my Purpose” and it be solved and sorted for the res
On the physical side, a strong “Why” might even help you live a longer and healthier life. Some of the studies I've read have found that individuals with the highest sense of purpose had a 46% lower risk of mortality over several years compared to those with the lowest sense of purpose. In fact, the longevity boost from having "Purpose" was comparable to the effect of healthy habits like not smoking or staying active. Purpose-driven people are also less likely to develop heart disease or cognitive decline, and they tend to take better care of themselves through exercise, good sleep, and preventive health measures. As one Harvard Health report noted,
being engaged by meaningful pursuits doesn’t just lift your spirits – it may literally keep your heart beating longer. Those with a clear purpose often have lower stress hormone levels and even show stronger immune function and
But what happens when life throws a curveball and your purpose is suddenly in question? Lots of us derive purpose from our careers, roles, or abilities; I know I did! A dramatic life change – whether it’s a health crisis, job loss, retirement, or personal trauma – can turn that sense of direction on its head overnight. Psychologists say that it’s common for someone's sense of purpose to falter or change after such major events. In fact, purpose is not a fixed destination but an evolving journey for us all. It’s normal (although a little unsettling) to feel “rudderless” and a bit lost for a time when the goals that you once used to guide you no longer apply. Harvard did a survey of young adults and found that more than half had recently felt they lacked meaning or purpose (which seems almost common
Importantly, needing to reset your purpose is not a personal failure; it’s a human experience most of us experience at some stage in our life. As one of the psychologists I read an article from on this explains, people often change their purpose after significant life transitions like the death of a loved one, children leaving home, or a serious illness. There’s even a term, “purpose anxiety" (mark in the sand here for me right now!), for the stress and worry that can arise when you’re searching for a new life direction during these difficult periods. The key is remembering that purpose can be re-found or reinvented. What gave us meaning in our 20's is extremely unlikely to be the same in our 50's. And that’s okay! In my case, a health upheaval forced me to pause and question what my "Why" or "Purpose" really is now, at this upside down period in my life. I learned (sometimes the hard way) that you can’t simply check a box next to “Find my Purpose” and it be solved and sorted for the res
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