As a physician and health coach, I am always interested in encouraging healthy habits that are supported by the medical literature. In some areas, the mechanism behind my recommendation is intuitive or at least easily explicable. For example, vegetables provide powerful antioxidants, movement enhances metabolism, and adequate sleep allows repair on a cellular level. The science behind these interventions and associated benefits is easy to grasp. But when I encourage people to identify the purpose of their lives, it might seem that my science has gone out the window. This month, I want to illustrate that knowing our “why” is essential for vitality and theorize the etiology behind it.
The data shows us time and again that people who know the reason for their lives tend to live longer and be healthier. When I first came across this type of research, I assumed that it was limited to the elderly population, perhaps people who had lost the discipline of their earlier years while in retirement. Then I saw studies suggesting that knowing one’s purpose lowers the risk of death at all stages of adulthood (1) and I became more intrigued. In fact, one recent paper found that whether a person had a strong sense of purpose was more closely associated with their risk of dying than was drinking, smoking, or regular exercise. (2) These findings are so compelling for something that often seems like a “soft” health recommendation.
In an effort to understand why knowing our purpose is so critical, I borrow from Simon Sinek in his popular TED Talk “How great leaders inspire action.” He discusses why companies that know the “why” behind their brands are more successful than those that don’t - because “why” they do something inspires people more than “what” their product does or even “how” it does it. I believe this model also applies to our our personal health. Strategies that focus on the “what” such as “how to lose belly fat” or “how to improve heart health” will only ignite change for a short period because they move us only superficially. Yet when we get in touch with our own personal “why”, we find we can sustain often challenging lifestyle changes. With our purpose up front, we start to develop our “how” and then we are living intentionally.
For me, a big part of my “why” is the mother I want to be. I aim to be active and present with my children now and with my grandchildren one day. Once I am clear on this vision, I find myself making small but meaningful choices that align with the life I hope to build. I can intentionally choose fruit instead of chips, walk instead of drive, and stick to my meditation practice in spite of distractions. So I invite you to do some reflection this month on what is the important work of your life. There are no right or wrong answers and our response can grow and change just as we do. The most important thing is that we start asking the question.
1. Hill PL, Turiano NA. Purpose in life as a predictor of mortality across adulthood. Psychol Sci. 2014 Jul;25(7):1482-6. doi: 10.1177/0956797614531799. Epub 2014 May 8. PMID: 24815612; PMCID: PMC4224996.
2. Alimujiang A, Wiensch A, Boss J, Fleischer NL, Mondul AM, McLean K, Mukherjee B, Pearce CL. Association Between Life Purpose and Mortality Among US Adults Older Than 50 Years. JAMA Netw Open. 2019 May 3;2(5):e194270. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.4270. PMID: 31125099; PMCID: PMC6632139.