Research Shows a “Purpose Driven Life” is the New Fountain of Youth
Nearly 50% of those age 65 and older have significant trouble walking a single lap around a track. What’s more, nearly 20% of this group can’t walk a single lap at all. Yes that’s right – 1/4 mile or about 2 city blocks – no can do!
This is according to a study by the National Institute of Health. What’s more, researchers from a similar study at the CDC state:
The number of adults reporting a disability likely will increase, along with the need for appropriate medical and public health services, as more persons enter the highest risk age group (>/=65 years). To accommodate the expected increase in demand for disability-related medical and public health services, expanding the reach of effective strategies and interventions aimed at preventing progression to disability and improving disability management in the population is necessary.
In short, the Baby Boomer generation and their aging children need help. They need help finding a fountain of youth so they can age gracefully. Thankfully, there may be a solution.
A “Purpose Driven Life” is the New Fountain of Youth
A 2017 study by a group of researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health just might have what the doctor ordered. The question these researchers sought to answer was simple:
Is higher purpose in life associated with lower likelihood of objectively measured declines in physical function?
In order to solve this question the researchers studied adults older than 50, over 4 years. Their hypothesis was that having purpose in life would reduce declining physical function. In order to measure this physical function, they used grip strength and walking speed as the indicators.
What they found was nothing short of amazing! Their conclusion is something we all need to take heed of immediately if we want to age gracefully.
Purpose in life was prospectively associated with a decreased risk of developing weak grip strength and slow walking speed, although the findings were more robust for walking speed than for grip strength. These findings suggest that a sense of purpose in life, a modifiable factor, may play an important role in maintaining physical function among older adults.
In my opinion, this means living a purpose driven life is like drinking from the fountain of youth. By defining a life’s mission, cause, or goal and working at it day after day you can improve your long term health.
It’s not enough to just support a bunch of causes and organizations. Giving money for a tax write-off doesn’t count either. The key is to find YOUR cause or organization. The key is to live a purpose driven life. If you want to truly get health benefits as you age, find something to be “fanatically passionate” about and make it your life’s work.
Related Studies: