HOLDING GOALS HELP WITH HEALTHY AGING

HAVING A HIGHER PURPOSE IN LIFE
REDUCES RISK OF DEATH OF OLDER ADULTS

CHICAGO (www.healthfinder.gov ) - Possessing a greater purpose in life is associated with lower mortality rates among older adults according to a new study by researchers at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago. According to Patricia A. Boyle, Ph.D., and colleagues, purpose in life, the psychological tendency to derive meaning from life's experiences and to possess a sense of intentionality and goal directedness that guides behavior, protect against adverse health outcomes. The researchers assessed this quality in more than 900 community-dwelling older adults who were participating in the Rush Memory and Aging Project. Participants' purpose in life was measured by their level of agreement with statements such as, "I feel good when I think of what I have done in the past and what I hope to do in the future" and "I have a sense of direction and purpose in life." The biological basis of the association is unknown, but may result from the positive effects purpose of life is reported to have on immune function and blood vessel health, the authors suggest.

The result may have public health implications. "In particular, these findings may provide a new treatment target for interventions aimed at enhancing health and well-being in older adults. Purpose in life is a potentially modifiable factor that may be increased via specific behavioral strategies that help older persons identify personally meaningful activities and engage in goal-directed behaviors," the researchers said. The study, published in Psychosomatic Medicine, is available online at www.psychosomaticmedicine.org.


Having goals helps a healthy old age, but this is not the real purpose of life. If it is true that a purpose in life reduces the risks of diseases, it is also true that keeping the goal of chanting the name of the Lord reduces the diseased condition of the spiritual being conditioned by a material body.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Srila Bhakti Vinode Thakur has written in his commentary Amrit-pravaha Bhasya: “Desire with the purpose of one’s own enjoyments is called kama.” … Self-interest is the criterion of conditioned souls to determine what is dear and what is not dear. For the reason of a wrong criterion of self-interest, conditioned souls are burning in the forest fire of this material world. Clashing is inevitable where there are many centers of interest. There will be no clashing provided that love for the Absolute Reality Sri Krishna becomes the centre of interest.

Śrīla Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Maharaja :
“Harikatha and Vaishanva Aparadha”
Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math
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