Are you on a search for meaning? New research suggests that growing your appreciation for life experiences may increase feelings of purpose.

Study Summary

The research, which analyzed 7 studies pertaining to appreciation for life experiences and purpose, found that:

• The studies provide support for the idea that greater appreciation of life experiences encourages feelings of life meaning.
• People who appreciate and find beauty in the smaller things and experiences in life tend to feel more meaning in life.

The authors concluded that this ‘experiential appreciation’, may be a fundamental pathway to feeling more purpose in life.

The Hearty Take

At Hearty, we believe that growing gratitude for life experiences likely contributes to enhanced healthspan and lifespan. In Blue Zones, places with the highest density of people who live to 100 years old, purpose is considered a factor of their remarkable longevity. Practice gratitude - for your morning cup of coffee, for your yoga practice, or your daily walk to work. Consider creating a daily gratitude journal or cultivating a daily gratitude practice. For accountability, reach out to your health coach!