| Let's take five minutes to see this week in a new light. | | | The concept of "finding your purpose" might sound a bit like a cliché trope, but feeling a sense of meaning in the world is tied to greater happiness and improved health. Interestingly, only a quarter of Americans say they have a clear sense of purpose about what makes their lives meaningful, while 40% say they don't have that guiding star or generally feel indifferent. | | | Spending time thinking about what matters most to you can help you find meaning in your life. And it can also help you figure out what you want to do with your time and energy." | | Having a sense of purpose in life brings improved levels of life satisfaction. This translates to a consistently uplifted mood, positive outlook, and contentment. Research has also found that people tend to live longer when they have high levels of "eudemonic well-being"—AKA a sense purpose along with a sense of control and a feeling like what you do is worthwhile.
A 2018 study also noted that people who found meaning in their life experienced fewer physical health issues, including strokes, heart attacks, poor sleep, dementia, and disabilities. There are even financial benefits to feeling a greater sense in purpose in life. Another study discovered that people make more money when they feel their work has meaning compared to those who felt their work lacks meaning. | Finding meaning in your life can be tricky, particularly if you're already feeling aimless, unmotivated, apathetic, or depressed. Consider any ennui an opportunity for self-discovery and reflection. Here are some ways you can find greater purpose in life:
- Get Creative: Take time to journal, write, or create art. Not only is the process therapeutic, but these things can help you make important revelations about yourself and even the world around you.
- Pursue Your Interests: Pursuing hobbies or activities you enjoy brings meaning into your life. Take time to identify those interests and passions and then pursue them wholeheartedly.
- Be Open to New Perspectives: Take time to learn about other philosophies, perspectives, and experiences that vary from your own. The more you see and discover, the more the world opens up to you.
- Nourish Relationships: Research tells us that meaningful relationships help lower the risk of heart disease, help make us more resilient to stress, and decrease the risk of depression and suicide.
- Help Others: Science says that when people engage in altruistic behaviors, they feel more connected to other people and tend to have a stronger sense that their life has meaning.
- Practice Gratitude: Practicing gratitude can strengthen relationships, improve happiness, boost resilience, and improve overall health.
| | Ways to Stay Positive This Week | | | Ways to Nurture Your Mind and Body | This week, take 15 minutes to journal. Answer the questions, "What hobbies or activities have brought me joy in the past?"; "How can I invest more time into these experiences?"; and "Why is finding deeper meaning in life important to me?" | -
Brene Brown's "Atlas of the Heart" takes a closer look at our existence in this world. Brown says, "I want this book to be an atlas for all of us, because I believe that, with an adventurous heart and the right maps, we can travel anywhere and never fear losing ourselves." | | | |
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