There’s no doubt about it, aging can be hard. Concern around lost identify, diminished productivity, health concerns, financial burdens, and loss of loved ones has given us all anxiety about aging at one point in time or another. While there are valid challenges with aging, the majority of its negative connotations are rooted in our society’s culture of ageism, perpetuating a misconception that older adults are unmotivated and do not contribute to their communities. These negative stereotypes underestimate older adults, especially those with meaningful purpose, who frequently engage with their communities, achieve their goals, demonstrate positive mental and physical health, and actively care for family, friends, and pets. With this in mind, it’s important to understand why aging with purpose is so important and how we can find purpose at every age.
The Power of Aging with Purpose:
“When individuals lack a sense of meaning, they can feel stuck or lost, which can lead to disengagement, low productivity, absenteeism, loneliness, anxiety, depression, and even substance abuse” says Shannon Yocum, M.A., an Arctos360 Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. As a result, these feelings of helplessness can lead to greater emotional and behavioral health challenges over time if left unresolved.
On the other hand, people with purpose experience higher life satisfaction, gratitude, sense of perspective, and empathy. According to Time and Forbes, life meaning has also been correlated with improved resilience, engagement, productivity, and overall mental health. As we age, our physical health is also impacted. Older adults with purpose see improvement in sleep, grip strength, walking speed, and lower risk of disease and inflammation, which are major signs of physical health as we age. One of the primary reasons for these benefits is that purpose is a catalyst for people taking a more proactive approach to their health, resulting in them engaging in healthier activities.
How to Find Purpose at Any Age
It’s no surprise at this point that living a life founded on meaningful purpose can significantly improve our quality of life, but what if we are struggling to find our purpose? And how do we regain our sense of purpose and identity after a career change, family shift, or personal growth period? You can find purpose in a variety of ways, you just have to start inward and reflect on your true self. According to Bryn Lowrie Yahn, an Arctos360 psychologist with more than 25 years of experience, “emotions are our strongest indicator of how well aligned we are with our purpose.” Bryn further indicates that our emotions provide a built-in guidance system that is often overlooked, and by learning to tune into our emotions through connecting with our bodies, we can discover if we are aligned with our purpose. Erik Nelson, Founder of Arctos 360 states, “while there are many ways to tap into our emotions, journaling, meditation, and mindfulness are very effective tools.” Psychology Today also highlights finding fulfillment by building and maintaining relationships, setting goals, focusing on creative projects, getting involved in your community, and taking time to enjoy the small things in life.
With the significant implications that purpose has on aging, there’s a lot of opportunity to provide resources and education around self-discovery and meaning. By emphasizing continued growth as we age, we can tap into the interests, knowledge, and abilities of seniors to promote the health and well-being of our ever-growing aging population. By reshaping how we collectively view aging, we can shift the way people think about vitality and social contribution to help people find purpose at every age. Are you or someone you know trying to find purpose? If so, you’re not alone. Learn more about Arctos360’s 10-week program to help you find purpose.