Want to Stop Alzheimer’s Early On?

Want to Stop Alzheimer’s Early On?

What’s your purpose for your life?  Can you articulate it?  What  gives you a sense of meaning?  Can you describe it?  If you can’t answer these questions, you may have just increased your risk of Alzheimer’s as you age.

Over 1400 people are being followed by researchers to determine the effect of how having a purpose in life relates to the absence of Alzheimer’s symptoms.   246 people have finished the study, meaning they have died and gave had an autopsy in which their brains were specifically examined.  Those who had a stated purpose in their lives significantly failed to show any behavioral evidence of Alzheimer’s even though in the autopsy some physical evidence was found suggesting the disease was present.  Basically, the study is showing than when we have a clear purpose in our lives, the lower the effect of Alzheimer’s disease!

The key question for us, regardless of our age, is how the researchers described “having a purpose.”  The researchers are using what is called the “Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-Being.”   The Scales measure more than just “purpose,” but focuses on six factors that suggest the presence or lack of well-being psychologically, including having a purpose.  The six factors are:

1. Self-Acceptance:  This means I have a positive attitude towards myself, including accepting both the good and bad parts of me.  It also includes feeling positive about my earlier life experiences.

2.  Positive Relations With Others: This means I have warm, satisfying, trusting relationships with others.  It also includes my being capable of strong empathy, affection, and intimacy.

3.  Autonomy:  I am independent, self-determining, and able to resist social pressures to think and act in certain ways.  My behavior is regulated from within, not by others’ expectations.

4.  Environmental Mastery:  I feel I am in charge of the situation in which I live.  I am competent in managing the complexities of life, and am able to create contexts suitable to my needs and values.

5.  Purpose in Life:  I have goals in my life and a sense of direction.  My present as well as my past life has meaning.  My beliefs give me a life purpose, and an objective for living.

6.  Personal Growth:  I am continuing to develop my interests, growing as a person, and open to new experiences.  I believe I am changing in ways that reflect knowing myself better and seeking to become more efficient.

Other research in this area of purpose and measures of health have found that having a purpose reduces incident-caused disability and delays death.  It leads to a higher sense of happiness, better sleep, and personal growth.

Question:  So how would you articulate your purpose in this life?