A sense of purpose in life is a key part of why blue zones residents around the world live longer. In Okinawa, Japan, the concept of activities and relationships that make life worth living is called “ikigai,” for example, while centenarians in Nicoya, Costa Rica know it as “plan de vida.”
Now, a recent study found that having a clear sense of life purpose may improve quality of life as we age by reducing the risk of dementia.
Now, a recent study found that having a clear sense of life purpose may improve quality of life as we age by reducing the risk of dementia. Share on XFor the study, published in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, researchers at the University of California, Davis, followed more than 13,000 adults aged 45 and older for up to 15 years.
The study found that people who reported having a stronger sense of purpose in life were about 28 percent less likely to develop cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer’s disease, as they aged. A sense of purpose appeared to protect the brain from impairment for participants of different races, ethnicities, levels of education and histories of depression, researchers reported. The lowered risk even applied to study participants with the APOE E4 gene, considered a factor in developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The study found that people who reported having a stronger sense of purpose in life were about 28 percent less likely to develop cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer’s disease, as they aged. Share on XThe study also found that people with a sense of life purpose experienced cognitive decline later in life than those with weaker senses of purpose. The delay was modest, about one or two months over an eight-year period. But researchers noted that it was still significant, particularly considering that while medications like lecanemab and donanemab can also offer modest delays in cognitive impairment, they come with their own risks and costs.
“Purpose in life is free, safe and accessible,” said UC Davis professor Aliza Wingo, one of the study researchers. “It’s something people can build through relationships, goals, and meaningful activities.”
Findings bolster lifestyle choices in the blue zones
The UC Davis study participants were part of the Health and Retirement Study, which follows thousands of Americans to better understand the aging process. They underwent regular cognitive health tests, and responded to survey questions (on a scale ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree”) such as “I am an active person in carrying out the plans I set for myself,” and “For me, life has been a continuous process of learning, changing, and growth.”
Participants weren’t asked what specifically gave their lives purpose. But researchers noted that people can derive a sense of purpose from a wide range of activities and relationships, including professional work; mentoring or volunteering; time spent with family and friends; spirituality or faith-based practices; learning new skills; and hobbies.
The new study’s findings build on previous research into the connection between life purpose and longevity. A 2014 study found that people with clear goals and motivations in life maintained mental acuity and lived longer than those without strong purpose. A 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association also found that “low purpose in life was significantly associated with death” for the 6,985 adults over 50 that participated in the study.
These creative pursuits can lend an estimated seven additional years of life expectancy. A 2024 UK study found that participating in the arts can also protect against cognitive decline and lower dementia risk.
Meaningful everyday activities and interactions
New initiatives to promote intergenerational connections in the United States may also help strengthen a sense of life purpose for older Americans. Intergenerational living is a common practice in the blue zones, but impractical for many families in the United States.
But programs that combine a long-term care facility with a preschool, like at Ebenezer Ridges Campus and Child Care in Burnsville, Minnesota, allow older adults the chance to socialize with and mentor children, energizing their daily lives and boosting their sense of purpose. Senior participants in that study said being around children motivated them to be more active and enjoy more time outdoors.
Okinawans understand that you don’t need to dedicate yourself to an extraordinary project to have purpose in life. Even everyday activities and interactions can feel meaningful to those with the right mindset.
“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,” said Thomas Wingo, co-author of the UC Davis study. “It’s never too early — or too late — to start thinking about what gives your life meaning.”
“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.” -Thomas Wingo Share on XUnsure about your own sense of purpose in life? Take the Purpose Check-Up from Blue Zones consultant Richard Leiter to begin unlocking your life’s purpose.
Tim Cebula is a former senior editor for Cooking Light magazine. His work has appeared in national and regional publications, including Time, Health, Food & Wine, Boston magazine, and The Boston Globe. He lives on the southern coast of Maine.
