Know your “why”

Of nine things that people who reach age 100—have in common is that they know the answer to the above question.

When you know why you wake up in the morning and have a purpose in your day-to-day life, research shows that you can add up to seven years to your life expectancy. The Japanese concept of Ikigai encourages individuals to find their personal calling or purpose, adds Dr. Michelle Loy, an integrative medicine specialist at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center who recommends asking yourself four questions and finding where these answers intersect:

1. What do I love? (Passion)
2. What am I good at? (Profession)
3. What does the world need? (Mission)
4. What can I be compensated for? (Vocation)

“It may take some soul-searching, but it is worth taking the time to engage in this personal quest, as when you find your Ikigai, or several, it brings clarity to how you live your life,” she says.

And adds years to it.

Source: GQ©

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