Having Purpose Adds Years to Your Life

Rush University studied 950 people with a mean age of 80 and found that people with a sense of purpose in life are 57% less likely to die over a five-year period than those who lack it. They also have a better chance of being mobile and able to accomplish daily tasks.ξ

This study is part of a field called happiness research or äóìpositive psychology,äó which is exploring the connection between living with a sense of purpose and aging well.

In my keynote, The Meaning of Life I cite purpose as a contributor to a quality life and further note that purposeful people are also more disciplined and research also suggests that self-disciplined, highly organized people are less susceptible to Alzheimer’s Disease.

ξ