PIL effect
5 things that can happen when we find our purpose in life
© Joe Besure
Does life have a meaning? Does it even need one? Who knows. According to the psychologist, it has a positive effect on us if we look for one.
Philosophers have been dealing with the meaning of life for centuries, but they have not finally and unanimously clarified whether there is one and what it could consist of – which suggests that it is not so easy to clarify. In psychology, interest in the meaning of life seems to be growing, especially in recent years and currently: do we need a Purpose in LifePIL for short (and strictly speaking in German purpose in life)to be healthy and happy? What if we don’t have one? Does it matter what our PIL looks like? Questions like these are increasingly becoming the subject of psychological research. But what exactly do psychologists mean when they talk about the meaning of life or purpose.
What is Purpose in Life?
William Damon, a psychology professor at Stanford University, defines the term purpose in his book A Path to Purpose as “active commitment to achieve goals that are meaningful to our selves and have an impact on the world beyond one’s self.” Purpose therefore does not come over us like a rain shower, but requires an active commitment and approach on our part. Once committed, Purpose leads us to do things that mean something to us and leave a mark.
Author and therapist Meg Selig describes Purpose in the magazine PsychologyToday than feeling that what we do is valuable. “When you have found purpose, you feel that you have made a conscious decision to act according to your values and goals.” Our purpose does not have to be earth-shattering, according to the expert. We could find it in our job or in a hobby that means something to us. Or caring for a loved one. Likewise, we could see our purpose in traveling, or in doing creative work, or in treating people with kindness and consideration, or in having deep relationships. It is crucial that we know what we feel is important and that we base our actions and decisions on that. Then we live with a purpose. According to studies, this can have the following effects on our psyche and our lives.
5 things that can happen when we find our purpose in life
1. We feel happier
A British study with around 7,300 test persons suggests that purpose is usually associated with higher life satisfaction. A smaller study with 77 participants also showed that people who Have found meaning in life, show symptoms of depression or anxiety disorders less frequently.
2. We cultivate healthier habits
The aforementioned study from Great Britain also found that people with a high PIL value usually have a healthier lifestyle than those with a low sense of meaning in life. So they exercised at a healthy rate, ate well, watched less TV and engaged more in culture.
3. We have stronger relationships
Furthermore, the results of the study showed a correlation between purpose and an intact social life: while test persons with a high PIL value had healthy relationships and maintained good contact with friends and family, those with a low ranking had more problems in of the partnership or were lonely.
4. We live in greater prosperity
The material prosperity of the study participants with a clear PIL also tended to be greater than those without a purpose. Most of them had higher income, property and financial reserves.
5. We are healthier
Feeling a purpose in life is apparently linked to better health. In the British study, for example, test subjects with a high PIL ranking reported chronic illnesses and pain less frequently. An American study with around 7,000 subjects also suggests that purpose can increase the likelihood of a long life. A study with just over 800 test persons also showed that a Purpose in Lifecan improve our sleep quality and there is even evidence that it reduces the chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Last but not least, our heart also seems to benefit from a sense of purpose: An evaluation of the data from ten studies of more than 136,000 people showed that people with a stable purposean almost 20 percent lower risk of suffering a heart attack or needing a stent or bypass due to a vascular disease.
Looking at these studies, one gets the impression that it can fundamentally do us very, very well to feel a purpose in life. Seeing meaning in what we do and doing what we see meaning in. Apparently this sensation gives us strength and drive, a feeling of fulfillment that can also make us more resistant to setbacks. Of course we can just let ourselves drift and trudge through life without a personal purpose. But it seems to make perfect sense to embark on a search for meaning.
Source used: psychologytoday.com