Meaning in Life Matters for Brain Health
Having purpose or meaning in your life is not just about happiness and motivation. Purpose gives you reasons to think, plan, solve problems, and stay mentally involved, and this plays a role in protecting your brain as you age.
The Global Brain Care Coalition (GBCC) found that people who report having purpose had a 24% reduction in their risk of dementia.
Why Purpose Is So Powerful
Your sense of purpose affects your health because it shapes how you take care of yourself and how your body functions. Having a sense of purpose can make it easier for someone to take care of their health. They might be able to be physically active, pay attention to their diet, and socialize with others, for example.
You Have Control
You can build more meaning and purpose in your life. Research shows that one of the best ways to do this is by helping others.
- Be of Service: Look for ways to help in areas you enjoy or know well, such as art, sports, teaching, fixing things, or organizing events.
- Get Involved in Your Community: Community programs—like local volunteer groups or social clubs—show how powerful non-medical, community-based activities can be for health and well-being.
- Start Small: You don’t need to do anything big. Sharing your skills, helping with a project, or supporting others in simple ways can make a real difference. Helping others is one of the best ways to strengthen this risk factor you can change.
Partnering With Your Doctor
Your feelings about meaning and purpose are real and important to your health. Doctors recognize this and are open to talking about it.
- Be Honest: You are not alone. Many people struggle with purpose at different points in life. Your doctor has experience helping patients work through this.
- Check for Physical Causes: Your doctor may check whether low mood or loss of purpose is linked to something like depression. Sometimes a medical condition can affect how you feel about your life.
- Take Pride in Taking Action: By doing so, you are taking an active step to protect your future brain. Meaning in life is a real, powerful risk factor—and one you can work on starting today.
The Brain Care Score is for users 18 years of age or older. The information on this website is not a substitute for a visit or a consultation with a Healthcare Professional. Remember that a Healthcare Professional is the single best source of medical advice regarding your health. Please consult a Healthcare Professional if you have any questions. By clicking third-party links, you are leaving this application and going to an external, entirely independent third-party website. The Global Brain Care Coalition (GBCC) provides these links as a service to visitors and users and takes no responsibility for any information presented on such sites or for your use of or access to such sites.