Dear Members and Friends,
Purpose in living has long been associated with satisfaction and happiness. New research however has shown that having a purpose brings about better physical health, better sleep and more positive and stable moods.
Patricia Boyle, a psychologist, surveyed mature adults with high purpose scores to find that they were more likely to remain free of dementia and maintain their cognition from age related decline.
Purposeful people are also less likely to develop disabilities, negative affect, chronic medical conditions, and isolation. Purpose in life seems to improve and extend life span.
How can people aged sixty to eighty hold on to or find purpose? Formerly during this period of life strength and vitality level off and dependency increases. Community life isn't routinely mindful of the needs of people at sixes and sevens. Communities forget that 6's and 7's want to make a contribution"
In our Newsletters, volunteerism is highlighted. Merely taking care of yourself isn't enough of a purpose for a majority of adults in the last third of life. In fact, research focused on adults in Canada aged 25 to 75 found that people who die at any age have low purpose scores. As people age, the impact of low purpose increases and results in higher rates of depression.
Volunteering isn't the only way to express purpose in living but it is an easy way to begin. Having the basic attitude that finding a purpose, like exercise and good nutrition, is fundamental to healthy living and the best advice.
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