The Importance of Having Purpose and Finding the Meaning of Life

What’s the meaning of life, why are we here? Chances are that you’ve asked yourself these questions at least several times. We’re wired to look for a deeper meaning and a purpose that goes beyond our mere existence.

Asking these questions and working consciously on finding the answer could have a profound impact on your life, regardless of the result. It’s incredibly important to seek the higher purpose instead of just wondering aimlessly through life and here’s why.

The Benefits of Finding the Meaning of Life: What Science has to Say

One of the most prominent studies in the field was presented in the Psychological Science journal. Carleton University’s Patrick Hill found out that people who sought a greater sense of purpose had a lower mortality risk across their lifespan than people who simply lived day for day.

Purpose has proven to have a profound impact on both emotional and physical health. Various studies suggest that it could have a surprising effect on a range of processes – from the speed at which people recover from surgeries to even reducing the risk of experiencing Alzheimer’s disease.

Some researchers believe that by seeking for a higher purpose, people are capable of ignoring everyday stressors and reducing the impact these have on health. The focus on the future keeps individuals from getting overly-involved with negative influences that don’t really matter in the long run (but that could be harmful).

Five Reasons Why having a Purpose in Life Makes Sense

Searching for the meaning of life is one of the instances in which the quest happens to be much more important than the outcome. Consciously seeking the answer and looking forward to the future results in several interesting health benefits that others don’t experience:

• Reduced risk of heart disease: being on this lifetime quest will make you less likely to suffer from heart disease. A Japanese study suggested that men having a lower purpose of life were more likely to die early from heart disease.
• Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease: studies among elderly individuals suggest that the ones having a lower sense of purpose are 2.4 times more likely to suffer from cognitive issues like Alzheimer’s disease!
• More happiness and reduced stress: leading a mindful, purposeful life leads to higher levels of happiness and ability to cope with stress. It’s very important, however, to make the difference between seeking purpose and seeking happiness. While the first quest leads to health improvements and more meaningful existence, the second one is rather shallow and the perks that it brings to the table are short-lived.
• Better sleep: many researchers believe that a sense of purpose can be seen as a predictor of health, especially later on in age. It seems to be linked to so many physiological processes, including the ability to fall asleep easily and enjoy numerous hours of deep sleep each night.
• Longer life: most studies suggest that a purposeful existence reduces the mortality risk but a new Canadian study actually shows that looking for the meaning of life can actually extend lifespan, regardless of the quest’s result. The researchers worked with volunteers for a period of 14 years and they found out that having a purpose is a predictor of longer life across all age groups.

Looking for Meaning

Society is becoming more and more nihilistic, regardless of the fact that spirituality and soul searching seem to have an impact that goes well-beyond the divine realm. US studies suggest that nearly 40 percent of Americans have no clear sense of life purpose or desire to discover a deeper meaning. 

​Developing a sense of spirituality can be much bigger than just visiting a psychic or medium. It is important to search authentically in your mind, body and spirit. 

Cultivating purpose does require conscious effort for the vast majority of individuals. This conscious effort has to extend beyond everyday existence, professional tasks and cheap entertainment. Avoiding the questions and the uncertainty that stems from the lack of answers happens to be the easiest road for the vast majority of people.

Leading a more meaningful life and trying to get answers may seem scary and challenging but getting started will require just a couple of small steps.

Ask yourself a few basic questions every single day. Do my activities matter? Am I contributing to the larger good? Am I moving forward? How are my activities affecting my own self? Looking for such answers is probably one of the biggest essentials for cultivating a purpose.

The purpose of life isn’t universal – focus on what you’re passionate about and what matters. It could be much smaller than the altruistic contributions of others but as long as it’s giving you a sense of purpose, chances are that it’s the right thing for you.

Stand for something. Develop your principles. Be aware of yourself, your actions, your mistakes and the way in which these affect others. Once you realize that everything we do has consequences and our activities matter, chances are that you’ll start leading a much more mindful and purposeful existence.