Knowing Your Life Purpose: The Secret to Living Longer

How a Clear Sense of Purpose Can Extend Your Lifespan

If you are going through a particularly trying life transition at the moment, especially if it is one that seems to go on forever, every so often you might feel frustrated by the time you are “wasting” while you are immobilised by the onslaught. If you already have a clear idea of what your life purpose is, great, it will help you get through this life transition with less aggravation. If you do not, then defining (or redefining) your life purpose could not only make it easier to get through this transition, but it can also enable you to live longer.

Living a long and fulfilling life has been a goal of humanity for centuries. While advancements in healthcare, nutrition, and lifestyle have extended lifespans, the quest for longevity often overlooks one critical component: having a clear sense of purpose. Understanding and living in alignment with our life purpose, especially during life transitions, can profoundly affect not only the quality of our years but also the quantity.

Here’s the roadmap for this article’s content:

Sage’s Desperate Quest for Purpose

Sage was staring into her empty fridge. She sighed so loudly that her neighbour banged on the wall.

“Maybe I need to figure out what my life purpose is…” she muttered, slamming the fridge shut and collapsing onto the couch. She had wasted the whole morning of her precious day off on Instagram, while she was supposed to come up with an idea for a profitable side hustle. Before hunger finally drove her to the fridge, she was reading an article claiming that people with a clear life purpose live longer.

“Great,” she told her cat, Sir Reginald, who was busy grooming himself with an air of self-satisfaction. “If I can’t come up with a side hustle that reflects my purpose, I’ll be dead by next Tuesday.”

She picked up a notebook and scribbled: Life Purpose Ideas: 1) Solve the mystery of the missing sock 2) Save the sharks 3) Settle the debate over what emojis really mean. Then she crossed them all out. “I’m doomed,” she sighed.

By lunchtime, Sage had plummeted into a motivational black hole. She was neck-deep in YouTube videos featuring impossibly attractive people promising to reveal the meaning of her life for only $499.

“The answer,” one guru said dramatically, “is within you.”

“Well, I’ve looked,” Sage snapped at the screen. “All that’s in there is frustration, irritation, anxiety and a weird, worsening craving for nachos.”

Desperate, she downloaded a personality test. Fifty-seven questions later, her result popped up: You are a Creative Nurturer.

“What does that even mean? Should I invent new food combinations? Feed Sir Reginald his Fancy Feast when he least expects it?”

Determined to be proactive, Sage signed up for a yoga class advertised as “Transform Your Mind, Body, and Soul.” She arrived armed with a borrowed yoga mat and a lingering sense of dread.

The instructor, Sylvia (who looked like she’d never eaten a carb), glided to the front of the room. “Today, we’ll open our chakras and connect with our higher purpose.”

Sage perked up.

The class began with deep breathing. Sage wheezed, startling the guy next to her. Then they transitioned to poses with names that sounded like cocktail ingredients and that left Sage reviewing her entire skeletal structure.

By the time Sylvia whispered soothingly, “Let’s end our practice today with a gratitude circle,” Sage was sure her hip was dislocated. “Sooooooo grateful this practice is finished,” she muttered, under her breath.

On her way home, Sage stopped at the coffee shop where she often went to escape reality. She plopped into her usual corner, nursing a latte, when she overheard a couple arguing at the next table.

“The Pub Quiz fundraiser is next week!” snapped the woman.

“I told you we should’ve organised a karaoke,” the man shot back.

Sage, unable to resist, leaned over. “Karaoke and trivia. Call it Sing Your Smarts.”

The couple stared at her.

“That’s… actually brilliant,” the woman said.

Sage froze. Could this be it? Her purpose? Coming up with original ideas?

She spent the rest of the evening brainstorming concepts: a dating app for cat people (MeowMatch), a line of motivational mugs on the “Not my Circus not my Monkeys” theme, and a luxury spa where you could nap for eight hours straight a viral hashtag (#SnoozeForSuccess). Maybe my purpose isn’t one big thing. Maybe it’s about lots of little ways to make life less boring—for me and everyone else.

Sir Reginald blinked at her approvingly.

Sage toasted herself with a margarita while sharing a plate of nachos with Sir Reginald. She was going to live longer, if only to see what happened in the next season of Succession.

The Science Behind Purpose and Longevity

Research increasingly suggests that knowing why we’re here and what we’re meant to do doesn’t just make life more meaningful—it might actually help us live longer. A new study even suggests that a sense of purpose may be more important to our longevity than life satisfaction. “Purpose in life remained significant in all of our analyses, while life satisfaction didn’t,” says lead study author Frank Martela of Aalto University, Finland. “That suggests that purpose is the more reliable predictor of longevity.”

Multiple studies have demonstrated a compelling link between having a strong sense of purpose and increased lifespan. A Mount Sinai-National Institute on Aging study led by Dr. Patrick Hill (published in Psychological Science) followed over 6,000 participants and found that people who reported a greater sense of purpose and direction in life were more likely to outlive their peers during the 14-year study period. And a 2019 JAMA Network Open study by Alimujiang et al. found that adults over 50 who scored in the top quartile of purpose in life had a lower risk of all-cause mortality compared with those in the bottom quartile.

The concept of ikigai, a Japanese term meaning “reason for being,” highlights how purpose is central to well-being and longevity. Okinawa, known as one of the world’s Blue Zones where people live extraordinarily long lives, places a strong emphasis on finding one’s ikigai.

The Physical Impact of Purpose-driven Living

Your life purpose can be defined as the overarching aim or direction that gives meaning to your existence. It is a guiding principle that helps you align your actions, values, and aspirations. Purpose is not static; it evolves as we grow, encounter new experiences, and adapt to changes in life. It often relates to inner satisfaction, self-expression, and alignment with deeply held values. When we have a strong sense of purpose, our bodies respond with:

• Lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol
• Reduced inflammation markers
• Improved immune system function
• Better cardiovascular health
• Enhanced sleep quality

These physiological benefits aren’t just coincidental—they’re direct results of living on purpose. A life purpose does more than prolong life; it enriches it emotionally. When life is guided by purpose, transitions, challenges and setbacks are viewed as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles. Purpose often involves collaboration, service, or shared experiences. This creates a sense of belonging and strengthens relationships, both of which are critical for mental health. Purposeful living is intrinsically rewarding, as it aligns daily actions with core values. This alignment generates enduring satisfaction and joy, which are known to support both mental and physical health.

Defining Life Purpose

Before diving deeper, let’s clarify what we mean by “life purpose.” It’s not necessarily about having a grand mission to change the world or achieve extraordinary feats. Purpose can be found in:

• Raising children and nurturing family relationships
• Contributing to your community
• Excelling in your profession
• Creating art or music
• Teaching and mentoring others
• Advocating for causes you believe in
• Supporting and helping others
• Personal growth and development

Your purpose doesn’t need to be singular or static—it can evolve as you grow and change throughout life.

The Psychological Mechanics of Purpose-Driven Living

Having a clear purpose provides several psychological benefits that directly impact longevity:

1. Stress Resilience When we have a strong sense of purpose, we’re better equipped to handle life’s challenges. Stressful events are viewed through the lens of our greater mission, making them feel more manageable and less overwhelming. This resilience translates to better stress management and, consequently, better health outcomes.

2. Motivation for Self-Care People with a clear purpose tend to take better care of themselves. When you believe your life has meaning and importance, you’re more likely to:

• Maintain healthy habits
• Seek preventive healthcare
• Exercise regularly
• Eat nutritiously
• Avoid harmful behaviours

This isn’t just about living longer—it’s about being healthy enough to fulfil your purpose. Existentialism, particularly through thinkers like Viktor Frankl, underscores the transformative power of finding meaning even in suffering, as highlighted in his seminal work Man’s Search for Meaning.

3. Social Connection Purpose often involves connecting with others, whether through family relationships, community service, or professional contributions. These social connections are vital for longevity, as strong social ties have been consistently linked to better health outcomes and increased lifespan.

Finding Your Purpose Guided by Horses (?!)

While the benefits of having a purpose are clear, discovering it isn’t always straightforward.

The Rearing to Get Going in a New Direction on-demand online retreat is your step-by-step guide to uncovering your unique life purpose. This course gives you the clarity and confidence you need to step boldly into the next phase of your life, equipped with a purpose that feels right for you.

No more frustration. No more doubt. Just clear direction.

During this DIY course, you’ll move from feeling stuck, lost, or uncertain to having a crystal-clear understanding of your current life purpose—tailored to your specific life circumstances.

“Inspired by the way they guided me through uncertainty, I created this course to help others find their own life purpose with similar guidance, connection, and insight. I have collected everything they taught me and packaged it into this course to help you redefine your own sense of purpose, before, during or after a life transition. Think of it as applicable horse-guided wisdom—minus the mucking out of stalls.” Dr Margaretha Montagu

Maintaining Purpose Through Life’s Seasons

It’s important to recognise that purpose isn’t static—it evolves as we move through different life stages. What gives us purpose in our 20s might be very different from what drives us in our 60s. The key is to:

• Regularly reassess your purpose
• Be open to new sources of meaning
• Allow your purpose to grow with you
• Embrace life transitions as opportunities for purpose refinement

The Role of Purpose in Aging Well

As we age, having a strong sense of purpose becomes increasingly important. Research shows that older adults with a clear purpose:

• Experience slower cognitive decline
• Maintain better physical function
• Have lower rates of depression
• Report higher life satisfaction
• Show greater resilience in facing health challenges

This suggests that purpose isn’t just about adding years to life—it’s about adding life to years.

Overcoming Purpose-Finding Challenges

While the benefits of purpose are clear, many people struggle to define and pursue their own. Modern society often prioritises success, productivity, and material wealth over personal fulfilment, making it difficult for individuals to identify their true calling. Self-doubt and external criticism can hinder the exploration and expression of one’s purpose. Major life transitions such as retirement, career changes, or personal loss can leave individuals feeling adrift and disconnected from their purpose. Many people struggle with finding their purpose, feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to discover some grand mission. Common challenges include feeling that your purpose isn’t “important” enough, believing it’s too late to find your purpose and getting stuck in analysis paralysis.

“Remember that purpose doesn’t have to be grandiose. Small, consistent actions aligned with your values can be just as meaningful as large-scale missions.” Dr M Montagu

Creating a Purpose-Driven Lifestyle

Finding purpose is just the beginning. The real challenge lies in integrating it into daily life. This might involve:

1. Setting purpose-aligned goals
2. Creating daily routines that support your mission
3. Making decisions through the lens of your purpose
4. Surrounding yourself with people who support your purpose
5. Regular reflection and adjustment

The Ripple Effect of Purpose

Living with purpose doesn’t just benefit you—it creates positive ripples that affect others. When you live purposefully:

• You inspire others to find their purpose
• Your actions contribute to the greater good
• You create meaningful connections
• You leave a lasting legacy

This interconnection further reinforces the purpose-longevity link, as contributing to something larger than ourselves has been shown to increase well-being and life satisfaction.

En Fin de Compte

The connection between purpose and longevity isn’t just philosophical—it’s backed by science. By taking the time to discover and live according to our purpose, we may not only live longer; but live better, more meaningfully, and with greater impact.

Ask yourself: What gets you out of bed each morning? Apart from desperately needing your first cup of coffee of the day. Answering this question could be the first step toward a longer, healthier, and more meaningful life.

Dr Margaretha Montagu – MBChB, MRCGP, NLP Master Pract cert, Transformational Life Coach dip, Counselling cert, Med Hyp Dip and EAGALA cert