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Do we have a good life? A test measures it

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Is it possible to measure the degree of fulfillment of an existence? In other words: is it possible to evaluate if and to what extent our life is a good life, a life well lived? And then, above all, what is a good life: accumulating money, exercising power, counting on many friends or lovers who fill us with attention? Two psychologists from the University of Zurich developed a test and a multidimensional scale to evaluate the level of satisfaction of people and applied their survey model on about 700 adults between 40 and 93 years, therefore on a sample of people who had lived.

The result of their research, published in Frontiers in Psychology, is that a fulfilled and fulfilling life has nothing to do with self-centeredness (therefore no money power lovers or devoted friends …) but for example with leaving a mark in the world and for the world, with the commitment to meaningful and engaging activities, paid or even voluntary, with taking care of the youngest, in the sense of authenticity and loyalty to oneself.

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What is a life well lived

First, Doris Baumann and Willibald Ruch, the authors of the study, built a conceptual framework of fulfilled life. Simplifying, they have outlined a model, which includes both cognitive and affective aspects, which takes into account the elements that can make people feel satisfied, satisfied by their existence: having fully developed their potential, perceiving oneself whole and complete, authentic and true to themselves, the possibility of leaving a legacy to the world and contributing to the well-being of others. “Then (…) – Baumann said – we verified whether this concept of fulfillment could be measured”. To conclude that yes “a realized life can be evaluated, as we have shown with our study”, added Baumann.

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A fulfilled life as a predictor of health and good aging

Findings from the work of Swiss researchers indicate that feeling that you have a good life is a predictor of mental well-being, and is associated with better self-assessed health. Furthermore, that those who feel satisfied have a more positive attitude towards the passing of time: in short, they age better.

Leave a mark

But what does a fulfilled life consist of? Let’s start immediately by saying that it is not a life centered on the individual: in fact, the highest levels of achievement are linked, for example, to involvement in the care and well-being of the younger generations. “The survey of the conceptions of those who participated in the study revealed that making an impact and leaving a positive mark on the lives of others is actually seen as an essential component of a fulfilled life,” said Baumann. Here, but having said that what can we do to make our lives more fulfilling? According to Baumann, certain behaviors, such as carrying out meaningful activities, engaging in activities that interest us, pursuing objectives from which we know we derive a sense of achievement help in the intent. Feeling one’s profession as a vocation can also give a strong sense of fulfillment.

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As we get older we feel more fulfilled

Although it seems counterintuitive, as we age our level of fulfillment tends to increase. This could be explained by the fact that over the years people acquire resources, experiences, skills and even awareness: all useful elements to recalibrate, so to speak, on themselves. Additionally, seniors have developed their own character strengths, which help overcome adversity and build a life that is fulfilling. And in this sense, as indeed in every other sense, if you think about it, longevity in good health helps. Today – is the authors’ reflection – people can count on a longer period of time to realize their strengths, to pursue their dreams and to leave a legacy to the world. The time that we still have to live, and that we can live today, “offers us greater freedom to be who we are, to express ourselves and choose to do what is meaningful to us”.

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