Research from multiple institutions and publications is confirming the age-old truth that having a sense of meaning and purpose in life is associated with well-being and a longer lifespan.
As with many things in the social sciences, we already knew this. People live longer and happier lives when their lives are driven by something bigger than themselves.
Having a sense of meaning and purpose in life also helps us to focus on the things that are essential, the things that are important to us and add value to our lives. I think life purpose and having a sense of meaning is at the heart of any effective minimalist lifestyle.
Here are some of the sources:
- Dezutter J, et al.Meaning in Life: An Important Factor for the Psychological Well-Being of Chronically Ill Patients? Rehabilitation psychology. 2013;58(4):334341. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4113206/
- Krause, Neal. “Meaning in Life and Mortality.” The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 64B.4 (2009): 517–527.
- Rehabil Psychol. 2015 Feb;60(1):27-35. Title: Association between age, distress, and orientations to happiness in individuals with disabilities.
- Krok, Dariusz. “The Role of Meaning in Life Within the Relations of Religious Coping and Psychological Well-Being.” Journal of Religion and Health 54.6 (2015): 2292–2308. PMC. Web. 19 Mar. 2017.
- http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/07/28/334447274/people-who-feel-they-have-a-purpose-in-life-live-longer
- Lancet. 2015 Feb 14;385(9968):640-8. Subjective wellbeing, health, and aging.
