You know that there are health benefits to eating well and exercising, both of which are factors you can measure: You can log your calories in a food journal and track your steps on a fitness app. But in our fast-paced, high-pressure world, it's easy to lose sight of that third factor of living a healthy life — a sense of purpose.
Purpose is hard to measure, and it's different for everyone. Finding your sense of purpose can be a long journey filled with self-reflection and tough challenges. But discovering that purpose is a key aspect in achieving overall wellness.
The Health Benefits of Having a Life Purpose
Having a sense of purpose helps give your life meaning. A purpose helps you determine your values, set goals and tackle challenges — and all of this can benefit your health.
Consider this: According to a study from , having a sense of purpose may improve your heart health and lower your .
A meta-analysis in also shows a connection between a strong life purpose and a lower risk of cardiovascular events and death.
Research in corroborated these findings, and also found that young people who had a greater sense of purpose were less likely to be depressed than peers who weren't working toward a greater goal.
If you're looking to , finding something you're passionate about may even improve your shut-eye. A study in says that appears to improve sleep and lessen your chance of developing sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome.
What's more, goal-orientation may help motivate people with diabetes to , notes a study in .
Tips to Find Your Purpose
Finding your life's purpose means you'll live happier and healthier, but you'll need to do some work. Putting yourself out there in the world is a great way to start.
Trying a new activity, such as signing up for a pottery class at a community center, and striking up a conversation with strangers at a coffee shop may be inspiring. You can also go back to school, volunteer at an animal shelter, or join a social or professional group to connect with like-minded individuals.
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