As a physician focused on lifestyle medicine, I’ve come to realize that physical health is just one part of the equation for a fulfilling life. Cultivating a deep sense of purpose, belonging, and meaning is equally vital for our psychological well-being and overall life satisfaction.
The science backs this up. Studies show that having a sense of purpose and meaning is associated with better physical and mental health outcomes. People who feel their lives have meaning have lower risks of heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and shorter lifespans. A sense of purpose provides resilience, allowing people to better cope with stressors and bounce back from adversity.
The flip side is also true – a lack of purpose correlates with increased risks of anxiety, depression, addiction, and suicide. As Viktor Frankl, the psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, wrote in Man’s Search for Meaning: “The lack of a spiritual life cripples the human soul.”
So how can we imbue our lives with greater purpose and meaning? Here are my top 10 recommendations, grounded in the research on positive psychology:
1. Identify your values and live by them. Knowing your core values provides a moral compass to guide your decisions and actions. Make choices aligned with what’s most important to you.
2. Focus on growth. Having goals and making progress toward mastering new skills creates a sense of meaning and lifts self-esteem (Deci & Ryan, 2000). Embrace a mindset of continuous learning.
3. Discover and live your ikigai. This Japanese concept refers to finding your life’s purpose through the intersection of your passion, mission, profession and values.
4. Connect with causes larger than yourself. Being part of group efforts with inspiring missions taps into the human need for transcendence beyond the self (Kenrick, 2010).
5. Practice gratitude. Actively appreciating the blessings in your life, from relationships to nature, prevents taking things for granted and breeds positivity.
6. Nurture relationships. Having strong social bonds and feeling part of a community gives a profound sense of belonging. Invest time in your important connections.
7. Help others. Acts of generosity and kindness create a meaningful feedback loop – benefiting others naturally benefits ourselves. Give your time and talents.
8. Immerse in the present. By being mindful of the here-and-now, we don’t let life’s fleeting beauty pass us by unnoticed and unappreciated.
9. Tell your story. Strengthening your narrative identity by reflecting on how you’ve grown from life’s challenges provides perspective and deepens self-worth.
10. Accept and appreciate life’s poignancy. Cultivate an existential attitude that embraces the bittersweet realities of life’s fleetingness, which can promote gratitude for each day.
Science and philosophy converge on the vital human need to create significance amid life’s unpredictability. It’s up to each of us to thoughtfully construct routines, habits, and mindsets that allow us to infuse our daily lives with bursts of awe, moments of connection, and flashes of cosmic purpose. Those aiming for richer, more meaningful lives will reap the benefits of greater resilience, positive emotions, and well-being.
References:
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The” what” and” why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological inquiry, 11(4), 227-268.
Hill, P. L., & Turiano, N. A. (2014). Purpose in life as a predictor of mortality across adulthood. Psychological science, 25(7), 1482-1486.
Kenrick, D.T. (2010). Renovating the pyramid of needs: Contemporary extensions built upon ancient foundations. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5, 292-314.
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