How a Sense of Purpose Can Help You Live Longer

Can having a sense of purpose in life help people live longer?

According to one definition, a sense of purpose is characterized as "having goals in life and a sense of directedness; feeling there is meaning to present and
past life; holding beliefs that give life purpose; having aims and objectives for living.” In other words, recognizing what you want out of life and having a plan to achieve it. While this is an important part of emotional well-being at any point in our lives, a new research study published in the journal Development Psychology (link is external) demonstrates that having a purpose in life is especially important in successful aging.

Conducted by a team of researchers at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, the study examined older adults who were part of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Aging (link is external) (ALSA). Started in 1992, ALSA has followed over two thousand older Australians for decades to examine how health, emotional well-being, and living conditions have changed over time and to identify factors involved in successful aging.


https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/media-spotlight/201507/how-sense-purpose-can-help-you-live-longer

Live for today.
Best advice to give anyone IMO

Most people live too much in the past or the future and both those times have either gone or may not happen.

There is no way to push the river.

I agree Eddie as I live for the moment and seize it everyday, not fearing death will come later to me as I accept I am mortal. I love life.

Its still important to think at times for the future of those we leave behind and ensure their future is secure. Its important to do this as that then brings peace of mind. That problem is solved. You are then able to live everyday and embrace it.

Good points Eddie

Embrace the past, think fondly of the good times and let the bad things make you stronger.

Look to the future, dream, have ambitions, have goals.

But of course ensure the present is where you give most of your attention- I actually think a lot about all of these, but then I like thinking, even if too much is meant to be 'bad for you'.

I do however agree with the OP, having some 'goal' however big or small, does give you drive. Just don't get too carried away with that one thing.

When you stop dreaming it's time to die...




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn1WbBaWTdc&feature=youtube_gdata_player


I want something good to die for, to make it beautiful to live...




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw1Fm61HBA8

"I want something good to die for, to make it beautiful to live..."

I love that sentence. Everyone should have something /someone they'd die for :-)

Good song lyrics les, two top bands... well worth checking out... 'Blind melon' and 'Queens of the stoneage'!!!

Have started a music thread in misc if anyone is interested...

You "young un's" have plenty to live for, I spend my days in pain never ending. Hopefully not for much longer.

nicko wrote:You "young un's"       have plenty to live for,  I spend my days in pain never ending. Hopefully not for much longer.

Im sorry Nicko.
Being in pain is the worst thing.

Yes, sorry to hear that nicko.


Chin up old boy!

nicko wrote:You "young un's"       have plenty to live for,  I spend my days in pain never ending. Hopefully not for much longer.

Nicko dint dismiss me.... Have you looked into Bowem Therapy?

Hi edds, will have a look later, thanks.

nicko wrote:You "young un's"       have plenty to live for,  I spend my days in pain never ending. Hopefully not for much longer.

Not so good Nicko but treatments are improving all the time so fingers crossed there's one for you.

nicko wrote:You "young un's"       have plenty to live for,  I spend my days in pain never ending. Hopefully not for much longer.

So sorry to hear that Nicko, pain wears you down.