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Having a positive purpose is essential for optimal health, happiness and longevity. But having a sense of purpose can be elusive sometimes. Around 60% of young adults say that during the past month, they felt they lacked meaning or purpose in their lives, and only 28% say their work is meaningful. And for folks ages 50 and older, a study in JAMA Network Open shows that lacking a sense of purpose in life increases health hazards and mortality, while having a sense of purpose in life is strongly associated with healthy behaviors and protects against sleep disturbances, stroke, depression, and diabetes.

So, what is a sense of positive purpose and how can it be cultivated? A sense of purpose acknowledges that there is something bigger than yourself and you can make a meaningful contribution to it. It's also associated with generosity and empathy.

How can you discover your sense of purpose? Make a list of projects you enjoy -- gardening, playing sports, reading ... anything goes. Then list organizations you think are making positive contributions. See which ones overlap with projects you enjoy and explore how you can contribute to their efforts. And if you can combine your job and sense of purpose into one -- that's even more powerful. We're lucky. Our purpose is to let you know how much control you have over your health, and to motivate you to take advantage of that control -- and it's our job! For more help increasing your sense of purpose, sign up for the free newsletter at LongevityPlaybook.com.

Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).

(c)2025 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.