If you ever feel overwhelmed by the pace and responsibilities of life, you’re not alone. A survey by the Pew Research Center finds that 60 percent of U. S.
adults at least sometimes feel too busy to enjoy life, and about one in ten feel this way all or most of the time. 1 While it’s common to feel consumed by life’s demands, finding worth in everyday activities can have a positive, long-term effect on mental and physical health. When we feel our actions are valuable and important, we have a stronger sense of purpose in life.
2 Research shows that people who feel their life is purposeful are more likely to be physically active as they age,3 have a lower risk of cardiovascular events4 and lower their risk of developing dementia later in life. 5 A greater sense purpose is significantly associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety6 and appears to increase lifespan. 7 Finding purpose in everyday life involves intentionally recognizing the value you bring to routine tasks and the meaning in your daily life.
Clinical psychologist and author, Beth Kurland, PhD, has written about strategies to help cultivate self-awareness for finding purpose in your day-to-day activities:8 Identify what matters most to you. Reflect on your values, the personal traits that have played a meaningful role in your life or the qualities you most respect in others. Choose one thing to focus on for the day and find an opportunity to express it.
For instance, if creativity brings you meaning, place a thoughtful note or fun doodle in your child’s lunchbox. If you wish to bring more gratitude into your life, express appreciation to someone who might not expect it. Recognize the value in performing routine tasks.
We often move through our daily routines on autopilot, missing chances to find meaning in the ordinary tasks we perform. By slowing down and seeing these responsibilities with a fresh perspective, we can recognize how these mundane tasks bring us closer to what matters most. Everyday activities, like checking in on a loved one, driving kids to school or practice, doing laundry, or even taking an evening walk, can become meaningful expressions of caring for others or intentional acts of self-care.
Find significance in seemingly insignificant moments. It's easy to slip into an “either-or” mindset — the idea that only big, life-changing moments matter. But in truth, our lives are made up of countless small moments, and those moments can be deeply meaningful and shape the bigger picture of our lives.
Pausing to find the meaning in an ordinary moment can help build a deeper sense of connection and gratitude. Dr. Kurland describes taking three mindful bites of food each day to savor the flavors, appreciate its nourishment and recognize the efforts of the people who grew, harvested, packaged and delivered it.