Science Of Purpose

There’s so much evidence about the power of purpose, it can be overwhelming. We’ve given a list of key resources on the science of purpose here. What we call “Easy reads”, or “Easy views” are a selection of articles or videos that give you an overview and they are at the top of the list.

If you want to delve deeper into the benefits of purpose – we’ve provided links from “high science” and “scientific summaries” and philosophy.

Life purpose & higher wealth
Life purpose, physical & mental health, longer life and disease prevention
Life purpose & happiness
Life purpose & relationships,
Life purpose & neuroscience

At uuness we are always, always, open to new learning. If you think we’ve missed something, (especially your research or blog!) please drop us a note at jake@uuness.com and we’ll review what you’ve sent us and add to the list!

EASY READS

From Forbes

How can younger people navigate life more effectively?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomvanderark/2022/10/06/how-a-purpose-mindset-helps-navigate-life/

Purpose and happiness
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2023/03/19/purpose-may-be-the-key-to-happiness-3-reasons-why/

Finding purpose
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jiawertz/2020/09/29/3-steps-to-finding-your-lifes-purpose-and-dream-job/

The power of purpose and why it matters
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2021/08/22/the-power-of-purpose-and-why-it-matters-now/

How to find your purpose
https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamarruda/2022/11/13/how-to-define-and-live-your-purpose/

Purpose and happiness
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2023/03/19/purpose-may-be-the-key-to-happiness-3-reasons-why/

Purpose and health
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2017/07/10/the-science-of-giving-back-how-having-a-purpose-is-good-for-body-and-brain/

From Time

A good hub of articles about purpose, happiness and other things
https://time.com/collection/guide-to-happiness/

New York Times

Meaning is more important than happiness
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/upshot/finding-purpose-for-a-good-life-but-also-a-healthy-one.html

Reflections on purpose
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/31/opinion/the-universe-doesnt-care-about-your-purpose.html

BBC

Having a sense of purpose adds years to your life
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-27393057

The secret to a meaningful life
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170131-the-secret-to-living-a-meaningful-life

Informative Scientific Videos

Victor Strecher on life purpose
https://www.ted.com/talks/victor_strecher_life_on_purpose_how_living_for_what_matters_changes_everything

Are you looking for life purpose in the right places?

Ken Millar – Life turnaround specialist
https://www.ted.com/talks/ken_miller_build_a_life_of_purpose_and_meaning

Overview of the science of Gratitude
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVjfFN89qvQ

Rick Hanson – Hard wiring happiness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpuDyGgIeh0

Life Purpose and higher wealth

National Library of Medicine – higher purpose leads to higher wealth
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5408461/

Higher life purpose and longer-term wealth
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0092656616300836

Higher life purpose predicts higher household income
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/308006037_The_Value_of_a_Purposeful_Life_Sense_of_Purpose_Predicts_Greater_Income_and_Net_Worth

Purpose and economic success
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0092656618303696

Life purpose, physical & mental health, longer life and disease prevention

Harvard – purpose can lead to a longer life
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/will-a-purpose-driven-life-help-you-live-longer-2019112818378

Purpose linked to Lower cause mortality
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2734064

CNBC – longer life and purpose
https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2017/11/21/harvard-researchers-say-a-purpose-leads-to-longer-healthier-life.html

Psychology today – longer life and purpose
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/neuronarrative/201906/the-purpose-driven-life-could-also-be-longer-life

National Library of Medicine – the data
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7494628/

University College London
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2014/nov/sense-meaning-and-purpose-life-linked-longer-lifespan

Neuro science news discussed longer life and purpose
https://neurosciencenews.com/mortality-sense-purpose-21864/

Why does having a purpose predict a longer life?
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/making-sense-chaos/201407/purpose-in-life-leads-longer-life-now-we-ask-why

Purpose helps prevent Alzheimer’s
https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2015-sept/the-science-behind-the-powerful-benefits-of-having-a-purpose

Purpose lowers stroke incidence
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23597331/

Purpose protects the heart
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150306132538.htm

Purpose lowers anxiety
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3827458/

Purpose can reduce your risk of cardiac problems
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150306132538.htm

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26630073/

Higher Sense of Life Purpose Reduces Heart Problems
https://cardiovasculardiseasenews.com/2015/04/02/higher-sense-of-life-purpose-reduces-heart-problems/

Life purpose and the association with cancer
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6632139/

Life purpose and ageing
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/changepower/202111/is-purpose-or-pleasure-the-key-happiness-we-age

Relationships between Mindfulness, Purpose in Life, Happiness, Anxiety, and Depression: Testing a Mediation Model in a Sample of Women
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7908241/

Increased mental health and life purpose
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/happiness-is-state-mind/202203/how-creating-sense-purpose-can-impact-your-mental-health

Higher purpose is associated with lower depression rates and anxiety
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37572371/

Stronger immune system
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/making-sense-chaos/202109/3-crucial-discoveries-about-purpose-in-life

Purpose and cognitive function
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7138140/