Preserving Life Through a Sense of Purpose

"Our findings show that having a sense of purpose helps the brain stay resilient with age."

"Even for people with a genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease, sense of purpose was linked to a later onset and lower likelihood of developing dementia."

Professor Aliza Wingo, study lead author, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis 

Whatever your purpose is, it could do your brain some good. (Hill Street Studios/Getty Images)

 

Older adults who report a sense of purpose in life -- according to new scientific studies -- gain a reduced chance of developing dementia as the years wear on. Researchers at the University of California Davis reported their study results in the most recent edition of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, based on data collected from 13,765 participants beginning at age 45 and up to their senior years. The study was part of a long-term U.S.-based mega study, titled the Health and Retirement Study. 

 

Participants were surveyed between the years 2006 and 2020, and at the beginning of the study all  those involved had normal cognitive functioning.

 

People who reported a higher sense of purpose in life were found by the team to be roughly 28 percent less likely to develop cognitive impairment. That included mild cognitive impairment and dementia -- over the length of the study. Cognitive decline onset was delayed by about 1.4 months, even among those who did experience cognitive decline, a difference described by the researchers as "meaningful when compared to current treatments".

 

Earlier similar studies reflected similar findings, but it was noted by the UC Davis study that the number of participants and length of their study produced more meaningful results, while also noting that though the  study found an association, the conclusion did not prove definitively that higher levels of purpose caused lowered rates of dementia. Only that psychological well-being plays a notably functional part in healthy aging. 

 

Family relationships, caring for a friend and volunteering are among the activities that give meaning to our lives. Photo by Linda Davidson /The Washington Post

 

Research identified the 'protective effect' of a sense of purpose seen in both males and females and through ethnic groups, making cause-and-effect universal. Identifying the  sense of purpose's protective effect across multiple racial and ethnic groups made for greater significance, even accounting for education, depression and the APOE4 gene  representing a known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. 

 

The researchers made no effort to identify what the participants' various specific activities or beliefs might be that gave their lives that sense of purpose. They did not hesitate, however, to venture a number of hypothetical possibilities that would lend themselves to being identified as driving a sense of purpose in life: 

• Such as caring for family, spending time with grandchildren, or giving support to a friend; 
• Mentoring or contributing to community causes through volunteerism;
• Faith or spirituality beliefs and involvement in faith-based communities;
• The pursuit of personal hobbies, learning new skills; achieving personal milestones;
• Giving help to others through acts of kindness, care-giving, philanthropy or advocacy.

"What's exciting about this study is that people may be able to 'think' themselves into better health."

"Purpose in life is something we can nurture."

"It's never too early -- or too late -- to start thinking about what gives your life meaning."

Thomas Wingo, study co-author, professor/neurologist, UC Davis Health  

UCDavis Health

 

Increasing Longevity and Fending off Chronic Disease ... Reasonable Exercise Protocols

"The key findings from this review are: (1) male and female elite athletes live longer than the general population; (2) male athletes have a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality than the general population; (3) power sport athletes' all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality were not significantly different to the general population; (4) endurance athletes' cancer mortality was not significantly different to the general population."

"Former athletes smoke less, drink less and engage in more long-term physical activity than the general population, all of which significantly contribute to cancer risk and mortality."

U.K. research team

Nicole Forrester, seen here competing at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, didn’t start high jumping until she was 18 years old. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

"Aging is a natural and complex physiological process influenced by many factors, some of which are modifiable. As the number of older individuals continues to increase, it is important to develop interventions that can be easily implemented and contribute to “successful aging”. In addition to a healthy diet and psychosocial well-being, the benefits of regular exercise on mortality, and the prevention and control of chronic disease affecting both life expectancy and quality of life are well established. We summarize the benefits of regular exercise on longevity, present the current knowledge regarding potential mechanisms, and outline the main recommendations. Exercise can partially reverse the effects of the aging process on physiological functions and preserve functional reserve in the elderly. Numerous studies have shown that maintaining a minimum quantity and quality of exercise decreases the risk of death, prevents the development of certain cancers, lowers the risk of osteoporosis and increases longevity. Training programs should include exercises aimed at improving cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle function, as well as flexibility and balance. Though the benefits of physical activity appear to be directly linked to the notion of training volume and intensity, further research is required in the elderly, in order to develop more precise recommendations, bearing in mind that the main aim is to foster long-term adherence to physical activity in this growing population".

Science Direct

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There are studies that suggest a too-rigidly focused (extreme) attitude on exercising may compromise the protective effect of physical activity on heart health. Overdoing it, leading to an opposite health effect than that anticipated. Proving that old adage that moderation is the key to all things leading to success; known as the golden mean. It has an ancient lineage; well known for thousands of years that any type of extremes lead to malfunction of outcome. So how much exercise is too much exercise? No matter who you ask, the answer won't be forthcoming. 

 

It's a matter of knowing your limits; personal discretion.

As in: listen to your body, pay attention, be mindful of its messages. These are studies suggesting a decrease among endurance atheletes of health-protective benefits relating to overtraining of athletes, over-taxing the heart, depressing the immune system, increasing risk of injury and negatively impacting mood and sleep patterns. Long-term health of those overstretching their limits in physical exertion may lead to negative impacts.

 

A team of researchers fromt the United Kingdom set out to discover some truths about the relationship between chronic intense exercise and longevity; whether some physical activities or sports can offer protection and those that may not. They compared all-cause mortality and cardiovascular and cancer-related deaths of elite athletes as opposed to those issues linked to recreationally active counterparts.

 

24 studies with a data set totalling 154,033 athletes formed part of the review basis. The study group was divided into three groups: endurance (middle- and long-distance runners, . rowers, cross-country skiers, ice skaters and Tour de France cyclists); team sport (football, baseball, soccer, hockey and basketball); and power athletes (boxers, wrestlers, weightlifters, and track and field). The conclusion was that elite male and female athletes were linked with a 31 and 49 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality respectively, as compared to members of the population who are less physical active.

Not all sports and activities however, offer a similar level of long-term health benefits. The greatest boost in longevity fell to male endurance athletes; and in comparison to the general population, marathon runners, Tour de France cyclists and Olympians competing in endurance sports added four, eight and six years respectively to their life expectancy. To a lesser degree team sport athletes benefited as well from a bosft in life expectancy.

Superior cardiovascular fitness reflecting better heart health. Which explains why endurance athletes live longer than team sport and power athletes and was resposnsble for much of the added longevity. It was recognized by the researchers as well, that other lifestyle habits also render significant contributions to the longevity of elite athletes. The educated hypothesis that lifestyle is a powerful predictor of overall good health has a pedigree.

 

The review of elite athletes in this particular study reflects that recreational athletes and ordinary people alike benefit from the awareness that a healthy, active lifestyle has vital consequences in extending longevity and warding off chronic disease. A bit of a conundrum raises itself where researchers cannot quite point to lifestyle or training as having the superior advantage, leaning on the impression that it is a combination of both that confers the greatest rise in long-term health and overall wellness. 

Most people in any given population will never gravitate to the exercise habits of elite athletes, yet they can understand that a greater dedication to regular exercise will result in consequential benefit; ample reason to incorporate more than the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity weekly into a personal commitment. By the simple expedient of focusing on an activity that is personally appealing, commitment to exercise can be assured.

 

The basic goal being to reach the longevity-increasing benefits of exercise and that requires working at it until it becomes ingrained habit.