Why is having a purpose important? 

Did you know that studies show having a sense of purpose is linked to lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and lower mortality?  Another recent study showed that when people had a greater sense of purpose, they experienced less loneliness and made better lifestyle choices to protect their health^. 

Purpose helps us feel that our life matters and we make a difference. And while we may not think about this often while busy working the daily grind, once we stop working it’s still important to find meaning in life and have a reason to get up in the morning.  

There are three main elements to purpose: 

Giving - Finding ways to contribute to your community, making a difference in the lives of others. 

Growing - Trying new things, developing new skills, meeting personal goals (intellectual, artistic, athletic) or deepening spirituality and sense of self. 

Enjoying - Spending time – alone or with family and friends - doing things that provide meaning and make you happy. 

Four ways to identify your purpose: 

	Do what you like doing – find your passion  Whatever it is for you, try to find happiness in what you do day-to-day – whether that is working on DIY projects, practicing a sport, joining a social club, or simply going for a walk with your dog. Find your passions and what you enjoy doing.
	Do things that makes you proud of yourself  Doing what makes you happy might not always be enough to feel fully accomplished. An overarching goal – whether that’s winning a medal at a sport event, completing an online course or even simple tasks such as going for a walk every day or reading a book every week – can help you feel you have a purpose.
	Looking back to move forward  Looking back at previous experiences or adventures can connect you to things you’ve always enjoyed and give a sense of purpose and accomplishment to life again.
	Challenge yourself  Overcoming challenges can make you feel you’re going somewhere, and not just waiting for life to happen to you. Challenge yourself and see how far you can go – you might surprise yourself!

^ https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2021/08/22/the-power-of-purpose-and-why-it-matters-now/