For thousands of years, philosophers and thinkers have pondered the meaning of life and how to make the most of our limited time on this planet. While modern health advice often emphasizes diet, exercise, and stress management, emerging research reveals that social connection and contribution are equally powerful—if not more—when it comes to living a fulfilling and healthy life.
In fact, a meta-analysis published in The American Journal of Public Health found that older adults who engage in meaningful volunteer work have up to a 44% lower risk of mortality.
Even functional MRI scans show that acts of contribution activate the brain’s reward centers in the same way that exercise does, flooding the body with feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and oxytocin.
So, if you want to live a life that matters—not just to yourself but to others—start by making contribution a cornerstone of your existence. For more on this topic, listen to my episode The #1 Overlooked Factor for a Longer, Healthier Life (It’s NOT Diet or Exercise) on the Dr. Josh Axe Show here.
The Four Philanthropists: A Parable on Meaningful Impact
There’s a story about a village that was overtaken by enemy forces. The warriors defending the village were captured and imprisoned. Amidst the chaos, four philanthropists emerged, each responding to the prisoners' suffering differently.
- The first philanthropist provided clean water to the prisoners.
- The second offered bedding.
- The third supplied food.
While their acts of charity were compassionate, they only alleviated the symptoms of suffering. The prisoners were still captive.
However, the fourth philanthropist took a different approach. Instead of simply addressing the immediate discomfort, he went to the root of the problem—he freed the prisoners.
The lesson? While kindness and generosity are valuable, addressing the core cause of suffering creates lasting impact. This same principle applies to how we live our lives. Rather than only soothing surface-level discomfort, we should strive to contribute in ways that create true, meaningful change.
The Science of Contribution: Why Is Giving Good for Your Health?
Contributing to the lives of others through your strengths and talents doesn’t just benefit the recipient—it transforms the giver’s physical and mental health as well.
Physiological Benefits: Boosting Immunity and Reducing Inflammation
Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, weakening the immune system and triggering inflammation. However, people with a strong sense of purpose have lower inflammatory markers, reducing their risk of chronic disease.
In fact, volunteering has even been linked to better vaccine response—your immune system literally becomes stronger when you give back.
Neurological Benefits: The Helper’s High
When you engage in acts of kindness, your brain releases dopamine and oxytocin, creating the “helper’s high”—a neurological reward that mimics the effects of a runner’s high.
Neuroscientist Dr. Jorge Moll found that when participants engaged in purposeful, generous acts, their brain’s ventral striatum (the reward center) lit up, creating feelings of joy, connection, and fulfillment.
Longevity and Disease Prevention
A study published in The Lancet revealed that people with a strong sense of purpose were 30% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Research on Blue Zones—regions where people live the longest—shows that individuals with a clear sense of purpose (known as Ikigai in Japan) have significantly longer life expectancies.
What Is The Psychological Power Of Purpose?
Positive psychology research confirms that living with purpose reduces anxiety, depression, and relationship conflict.
In a recent study, researchers examined two contrasting goal types:
- Self-image goals: Seeking validation, status, or approval during social interactions (e.g., “I want people to notice my positive qualities”).
- Compassionate goals: Striving to help others and avoid selfish behavior (e.g., “I want to make a positive difference in someone’s life”).
The results?
Participants who focused on self-image goals experienced more relationship conflict and worsened symptoms of anxiety and depression over six weeks. Meanwhile, those with compassionate goals saw reduced conflict and fewer symptoms.
This demonstrates that serving others doesn’t just benefit them—it also enhances your own mental health.
Why Is Contribution Of The Greatest Good?
The concept of “Summum Bonum”, a Latin term meaning “the highest good,” is a guiding principle in philosophy, ethics, and theology. It refers to the pursuit of moral and meaningful fulfillment, often through love, selflessness, and serving others.
In the Judeo-Christian tradition, St. Thomas Aquinas described love as “willing the good of the other”—an act of choosing to prioritize the well-being of others over personal gain.
Even modern philanthropists wrestle with this distinction. Bill Gates, for example, focuses on the “greater good”—helping the largest number of people through global-scale initiatives. However, the “greatest good” focuses on moral impact, regardless of how many people are affected.
Key takeaway: Whether you’re helping a single person or contributing on a large scale, what matters is intentionally aiming for the highest moral good, not just numerical impact.
Use Your Unique Gifts to Serve Others
Psychologist Emily Smith believes that the key to purpose is using your strengths to serve others. When you align your life with your unique gifts, you experience greater fulfillment, productivity, and joy.
Identifying Your Unique Gifts and Passions (UGPs)
To discover your UGPs, ask yourself:
- When do I feel most alive or in flow?
- What strengths do others frequently acknowledge in me?
- What activities give me a sense of purpose and energy?
Practical tools like the StrengthsFinder 2.0 or the DISC Personality Assessment can help you identify your core strengths.
The Parable of the Talents
In the New Testament, Jesus shares the Parable of the Talents, where individuals are entrusted with different amounts of money. The ones who invest and multiply their talents are praised, while the one who hides his out of fear is rebuked.
The lesson?
You are called to steward your gifts wisely—whether they’re skills, creativity, or leadership abilities—and use them to make a meaningful impact.
What Are Practical Steps To Living A Life Of Contribution?
Here’s how you can start using your strengths and passions to contribute meaningfully:
1. Volunteer with Purpose
- Start small: volunteer at a local charity, mentor a young adult, or organize a community event.
- Even brief periods of volunteer work have been shown to reduce stress and improve mental health.
2. Align Your Daily Life with Purpose
- Integrate your unique gifts into your daily work and hobbies.
- Use creativity, problem-solving, or leadership skills to enrich your community.
- When you engage your strengths, you’re more likely to experience a flow state, associated with higher happiness and reduced burnout.
3. Pay It Forward
- Do small, meaningful acts of kindness: pay for a stranger's coffee, write a heartfelt note, or lend a helping hand.
- Notice how these acts positively shift your mood and mindset.
Don’t Waste Your Life—Contribute With Purpose
Albert Einstein famously said, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”
Ultimately, purpose and contribution are essential nutrients for a long and fulfilling life. When you give your time, talents, and energy to others, you not only leave a positive mark on the world but also experience greater health, happiness, and meaning.
Challenge for the Week:
Do one thing this week to contribute to someone else’s life—a random act of kindness, helping a friend, or simply having a meaningful conversation. Then, notice how it makes you feel.
I guarantee you’ll start to see the connection between purpose and true health.
