Research results that it is feeling that 'It is meaningful to your life' that becomes the key to happiness and health

by Helena Lopes

Many people wish to become happy and take various actions and try to change thoughts, but there are still many unclear points in the core part on what ones bring happiness to humans I will. Meanwhile, research results that "evaluate that there is meaning in your life" is presented to happiness and health, and Lisa A Williams, a social psychologist at the University of New South Wales , finds the meaning of life I am summarizing how to do it.

Leading a meaningful life at older ages and its relationship with social engagement, prosperity, health, biology, and time use | PNAS
https://www.pnas.org/content/116/4/1207

Having a sense of meaning in life is good for you - so how do you get one?
https://theconversation.com/having-a-sense-of-meaning-in-life-is-good-for-you-so-how-do-you-get-one-110361

Mr. Andrew Steptoe , senior psychology professor at University College London and senior fellow Daisy Fancourt , targeted 7304 men and women aged 50 and over living in the UK, I asked questions about physical activity. In addition, he also asked me "How much value do I have in my life?" And asked me to rate my life in 11 steps from 0 to 10. Then, we conducted the same questionnaire two years and four years after the first survey and tracked the state of social well-being and health.

As a result of the survey, people who appreciate the value of their own life compared with those who appreciated their lives, and that good influence was seen in various aspects. For example, from the social aspect of "low divorce risk", "low risk of being solitary", "highly likely to engage in friends and social and cultural activities", "low risk of chronic illness and depression" People who feel that life is meaningful, even to the healthy aspect such as "obesity rate is low and physical activity is high", "exercise is done, there are many intake of fruits and vegetables, and many actions contribute to health" It seems that he knows that he is living a happier and healthier life.

Specifically, people who evaluate their lives as meaningful are 18% faster walking compared to those who do not, and that the concentration of vitamin D in the blood was 13% higher. In addition, those who rated their own lives as "0 to 2" among the 11 grades, 47.1% of them met with friends in a week, while those who rated "9 or 10" There were 73% of meeting with friends. Furthermore, it was said that people who feel life is meaningful also in terms of economics were blessed.

Also, compared to those who highly appreciated their lives at the time of the initial survey, the risk of having symptoms of depression by the survey four years later is twice as high and chronic pain The probability of developing it increased by 30%. With regard to these results, the research team considered other factors that affect happiness and health, but still it is recognized that "feeling meaningful in your life" is related to a happy life It is said that.

by sylviebliss

Mr. Williams says that the following three factors are important for the meaning of life.

◆ 1: Purpose - To have the goals of life and to have a path of life.

◆ 2: Importance <br> I feel that my life has value and is important.

◆ 3: Consistency - What my life can be thought of with predictability and routine iteration.

by Artem Bali

On the question of how to find meaning in your life, Mr. Williams said "From frequent contact with friends, engage in volunteer activities etc. by frequent contact with friends, I'm recommending that.

Also, using money for others and eating more fruits and vegetables also has a positive effect on health, which leads to acquiring happiness and the significance of life.

"To spend money for others" lowers blood pressure and gives impact as healthy as exercise and meals - GIGAZINE

Eat more fruits and vegetables is good not only for the body but also for mental health - GIGAZINE

Williams says that as a way to find out the meaning of life more easily, in addition to " to envision a happy future ", " write a letter of appreciation " and "to remember happy happening".

You can reduce the risk of depression by thinking back on happy events - GIGAZINE

At first glance, "feeling happiness" and "finding meaning in life" seem to be like the same thing, but according to past research , there are subtle differences between the two. For example, satisfying the basic desire of life promotes happiness, but it does not increase the meaning of life. On the other hand finding links in the past, the present and the future improves the meaning of life, but it does not seem to be related to happiness.

For example, emphasizing social connections is important to both happiness and the meaning of life, but sometimes you need to keep your own desires and engage in child rearing and use expenses for educating your children. In this case, temporary sense of happiness may decrease, but in the future it may be able to feel the meaning of life more. Williams said that acting in search of the meaning of life may ultimately enrich life rather than pursue ultimate happiness.

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