Finding purpose in life and shaking up one’s routine might help to navigate the ups and down

Smita Jain; Smita Jain

ISSN: 2640-7957

Archives of Anatomy and Physiology

Opinion Open Access Peer-Reviewed

Finding purpose in life and shaking up one’s routine might help to navigate the ups and down

Smita Jain*

Author and article information

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Central University of Rajasthan, India

*Corresponding author: Dr Smita Jain, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Central University of Rajasthan, India, E-mail: smitajain1994@gmail.com

doi : 10.17352/aap.000021

ORCiD : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3374-5792

Received: 15 December, 2023 | Accepted: 29 December, 2023 | Published: 30 December, 2023

Keywords: Heath; Quality of life; Happiness; Mental health

Cite this as

Jain S (2023) Finding purpose in life and shaking up one’s routine might help to navigate the ups and down. Arch Anat Physiol 8(1): 001-003. DOI: 10.17352/aap.000021

Copyright

© 2023 Jain S. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Abstract

Most individuals want to feel like they’re living for something bigger than themselves. In or out of our consciousness. While the idea is appealing, the reality may be more difficult to achieve. The assumptions about life’s meaning may stem from a lack of introspection into one’s own purpose. These hardwired beliefs about the world often originate in our families and the places we call home. Having an effect on the world, no matter how big or little, is what gives people a feeling of purpose in life, rather than a predetermined destination. One’s purpose is the driving force behind their behavior. Continually and throughout the years. Purpose provides stability and direction even in the face of failures and a seemingly chaotic environment. The subject of life’s purpose may seem abstract, but it’s worth pondering. If people want to be happy and successful in every aspect of life, finding purpose is the key.

Main article text

The inability to find happiness may be an indication of an issue with one’s mental health, or it may just be a natural reaction

The roller coaster that is life is often characterised by a series of difficult experiences occurring all at once. It is natural for us to experience a lack of joy whenever the world around us is turned on its head. The list of severe stressors and traumatic events is very long and includes things like health problems, losses, breakups, housing difficulties, and natural disasters. Throughout their lives, the vast majority of adults will be subjected to multiple severe traumas and losses. In situations like these, the natural progression of the human experience is toward a lessening of joy [1].

On the other hand, the absence of joy can linger for some people or appear seemingly out of nowhere. Mood disorders like depression might manifest themselves in this way. The inability to experience pleasure, also referred to as anhedonia, is a fairly common symptom of depression, and it is even one of the diagnostic criteria for the condition [2]. About eight percent of adults in the United States will have a depressive episode in any given year, and about twenty percent of people will have at least one major depressive episode in their lifetime. Other mental conditions, such as psychotic disorders and dementia, are often accompanied by an inability to find pleasure in life. Certain drugs, including (ironically) those used to treat depression, have been shown to produce emotional blunting and a loss of pleasure in some patients [3].

How are pleasure and happiness distinct from one another?

There is a lot of overlap between the concepts of joy and happiness. Joy, on the other hand, is a state of mind that may be found even in times of loss or uncertainty, while happiness technically refers to the pleasant sensations (emotions) that emerge from a situation, experience, or thing. Therefore, we may strive toward growing pleasure regardless of the situations we find ourselves in. The euphoria one experiences may be fleeting upon winning the lotto, but it may be more long-lasting if one spends time participating in things that are important to them [4,5].

Happiness and the release of feel-good neurotransmitters

Dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins are some of the neurotransmitters that stand out when it comes to encouraging pleasant sensations. Although the neurobiology of pleasure is complicated, there are a few neurotransmitters that stand out in generating positive feelings. The encouraging news is that several adjustments to our daily routines have the potential to raise the levels of these neurotransmitters. For instance, exercising may result in a “runner’s high,” while spending time with a newborn causes the production of oxytocin, sometimes known as the “cuddle hormone,” which creates a sense of connection.

The effects that neurotransmitters have on the body are many, ranging from making muscles more relaxed to increasing the pace at which the heart beats. However, it is possible that these effects will ultimately lead to a similar destination: the promotion of happy sensations. The advantages for both the mind and the body are quite extensive, and they might come in the form of discovering a sense of purpose or experiencing supportive relationships [6,7].

How can one make themselves happier?

The unexpected advantages of being happy

Increasing one’s capacity to discover pleasure may give long-term health advantages, regardless of the adjustments made to their frame of mind or to the activities done on a regular basis. The mental mood has the potential to boost the function of the immune system (immune cells even have receptors for neurotransmitters). The release of stress hormones can be lowered, improvements in pain and sadness may be made, and interventions that boost pleasure can improve them all. Finding ways to increase one’s happiness has been shown to make people live longer [10].

Conclusion

Develop an understanding of one’s own interests and values—what motivates them to eagerly get out of bed in the morning? Documenting these aspects may facilitate the acquisition of lucidity. Determine activities that are in accordance with values and interests. Engaging in pursuits that offer happiness may enhance motivation and satisfaction over extended durations. Evaluate individual talents and weaknesses—being candid about innate abilities is crucial for providing guidance towards the correct path. Establish a clear set of immediate objectives, ranging from acquiring a new proficiency to engaging in an enjoyable pastime, to enhance the ability to maintain concentration on long-term aspirations.