Everyone wants to have a purpose in life. And for most of us it is something we need to figure out ourselves. The question “why am I here?” is never an easy one. However, it is very important as this new study led by UCL scientists has shown. Apparently, a feeling of purpose or meaning in life can reduce the risk of dementia.
Purpose in life is different for everyone. Creating something that will outlast you may be that special thing to do. Image credit: Sage Ross via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)
That purpose in life is different for different people. Some strive to become good parents and put their children in a good starting position in life. Others are building businesses or trying to invent something important. And then there are people who are helping others, solving global or regional problems, launching research into serious matters, etc. Purpose in life is very important, but no one could really imagine that it might reduce the risk of dementia.
Researchers now analyzed data from 62,250 older adults across three continents. They looked at different facets of mental health and satisfaction in life, including positive mood, optimism, feeling of purpose and meaning in life, etc. Scientists could not detect a link between positive mood and dementia risk. Simply having a positive mood state does not seem to have an impact on the risk of dementia. However, researchers found that sense of purpose in life can be linked to a 19 % reduction in clinically significant cognitive impairment.
The purpose in life is a positive psychological construct – it is not really something natural and crows above your head are not thinking about that. But it may have numerous health benefits regardless. Previous studies have shown that feeling of purpose in life can be associated with a better recovery from a stressful event and even reduce inflammation in the brain.
Dr Joshua Stott, lead author of the study, said: “Our findings suggest that dementia prevention programmes for at-risk groups that focus on wellbeing could benefit by prioritising activities that bring purpose and meaning to people’s lives, rather than just hedonistic activities that might increase positive mood states.”
Various activities could help people discover their purpose in life, identify what is value to them and strive for it. This information could actually help people understand how important it is to have that sense of purpose.
Other studies have shown that a meaningful life seems to protect from mental health issues and even reduce the risk of heart disease.
Source: UCL