Having a sense of purpose… (May 2026)

May protect the brain. This is what a recent study in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry shows.  As we age, we often begin to slow down with work, and our engagement in personal hobbies or interests may slow down, too. And with those changes, we can lose purpose, or a reason to get up in the morning instead of just hitting “snooze.”

Of the 13,765 participants in the study, all aged 45 years of age and older, those who had a sense of purpose in life were 28% less likely to developing cognitive challenges or impairment, or dementia. (Participants were followed for an average of 8 years, with some as long as 15 years.)

What does a sense of purpose look like for you? Is it volunteering with kids? Perhaps volunteering with disabled individuals? Or maybe working at an animal shelter? Creating a habitat for birds and pollinators in your garden? No matter what YOUR purpose, having that purpose can help your brain stay alive and resilient during the aging process.

Dr. Thomas Wingo, one of the key researchers in the study, has said that even among individuals wo have increased genetic risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, having a sense of purpose was associated with delayed development of the disease, and also decreases the chances of developing dementia.

If you haven’t thought about what drives you to seek purpose, now it would be a great time to explore that.

You might revisit hobbies that you once were passionate about such as playing a musical instrument or learning a foreign language. Or, think of hobbies you’ve been interested in but never took the time to start. Whether new or old, hobbies that provide purpose and satisfaction can give you something to be excited about each day—and may just help your brain stay sharp for longer.

Resources:

Howard NC, Gerasimov ES, Wingo TS, Wingo AP. Life Purpose Lowers Risk for Cognitive Impairment in a United States Population-Based Cohort. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2025 Oct;33(10):1021-1031.