A recent study involving more than 2,300 adults in Switzerland suggests that having a purposeful life can help reduce feelings of loneliness. The study shows that fighting loneliness is about more than just socializing. The researchers found that having a sense of purpose, whether it comes from big goals or personal hobbies, can protect against loneliness.
Loneliness can have serious effects on mental and physical health, including problems with thinking ability and even early death. The study, based on surveys conducted in Switzerland, found that people who reported living purposeful lives felt less lonely, no matter how old they were.
Doing activities that give a sense of purpose often involves being around other people, like joining clubs, volunteering, or playing sports. Having social interactions like these makes a purposeful life less lonely. But even when there are no other people around, having a sense of purpose can make you feel less lonely.
The study also found that people in their 70s and older sometimes reported feeling lonelier. This shows that having a purpose is especially important at that stage of life.
In the end, the researchers say that even small things can give life meaning and purpose. What other people think about your purpose isn't as important as finding personal meaning and fulfillment.
— Jason Beaupied, LMHC, MFT
References:
Neurosience News. (2023, June 23). https://neurosciencenews.com/sense-of-purpose-loneliness-23534/
Hill, Olaru, G., & Allemand, M. (2023). Do associations between sense of purpose, social support, and loneliness differ across the adult lifespan? Psychology and Aging, 38(4), 345–355. https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000733