{"id":88117,"date":"2025-06-27T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/?p=88117"},"modified":"2025-06-26T14:33:17","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T19:33:17","slug":"study-hope-meaningful-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/study-hope-meaningful-life\/","title":{"rendered":"New Study Reveals This Emotion Is Key to a Meaningful Life"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A new study reveals that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/hope-quotes\/\">hope<\/a> is not just an abstract feeling, but a powerful psychological mindset that shapes human thought and behavior. Although we exist constantly in the eternal present, our minds instinctively navigate past memories and future possibilities to shape our decisions, giving us the option to choose how we view the expanse of our lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-university-of-missouri-study-finds-hope-drives-deeper-meaning-in-life\">University of Missouri study finds hope drives deeper meaning in life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A study conducted by the University of Missouri team highlights hope as a uniquely powerful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/10-clever-tricks-to-trigger-positive-emotions\/\">positive emotion<\/a> that cultivates a profound sense of meaning. \u201cOur research shifts the perspective on hope from merely a cognitive process related to goal attainment to recognizing it as a vital emotional experience that enriches life\u2019s meaning,\u201d said Megan Edwards, who earned a doctorate at the University of Missouri<strong> <\/strong>and is now a postdoctoral scholar at Duke University, in a <a href=\"https:\/\/showme.missouri.edu\/2025\/hope-is-the-key-to-a-meaningful-life-according-to-new-research\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">public statement<\/a>. \u201cThis insight opens new avenues for enhancing psychological well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drawing on data from six studies involving over 2,300 participants of varied backgrounds, the researchers examined multiple emotions such as amusement, contentment, excitement and happiness. Their results revealed that hope was a consistent predictor of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/build-life-aligned-with-values\/\">deeper sense of meaning in life<\/a>. From our basic survival to the everyday question of how long the trip home from work will take, hope lives inside all of us, all the time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.achieversallaccess.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/SUCCESS_CTA_r1@2x.png\" alt=\"SUCCESS+ Subscription offer\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-episodic-thinking-helps-us-stay-ambitious-and-hopeful\">Episodic thinking helps us stay ambitious and hopeful<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone holds their own expectations, desires and sources of gratification. Some dream of lying on a beach; others seek a new relationship or aim to commit to a healthier lifestyle. These ambitions often become small hopeful steps that remind us life is always evolving and moving forward. This mental time travel, our ability to vividly imagine future moments worth striving for, is actually very healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even small progress in life often means more than we realize. It reshapes our outlook, illuminates the path ahead and reassures us that we\u2019re headed where we need to be.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scholars have long debated how to define this instinctive phenomenon and how to place it among the many natural human impulses, emotions and thought processes that guide our day. Is it a survival mechanism like fear, a motivational force like desire or a cognitive habit like planning? Some view it as a bridge between emotion and cognition, while others argue it\u2019s a uniquely human response to uncertainty and potential.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-role-of-meaning-and-hope-in-unlocking-life-s-rewards\">The role of meaning and hope in unlocking life\u2019s rewards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From the University of Missouri\u2019s Department of Psychological Sciences, Laura King highlights the vital connection between hope and meaning. \u201cExperiencing life as meaningful is crucial for just about every good thing you can imagine in a person\u2019s life,\u201d King said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/showme.missouri.edu\/2025\/hope-is-the-key-to-a-meaningful-life-according-to-new-research\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">statement<\/a>. \u201cThis cornerstone of psychological functioning is not a rare experience\u2014it is available to people in their everyday lives and hope is one of the things that make life feel meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The researchers identified several ways to channel our natural sense of hope into meaningful action. One of the most effective is simply noticing and savoring positive moments. We tend to rush through the good times, forgetting they\u2019re fleeting. Those moments matter precisely because they don\u2019t last\u2014so hold onto them. Let your best memories serve as a reminder that joy is real and possible, and allow them to give shape to your hopes for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Equally important is maintaining momentum during life\u2019s harder stretches. When everything feels uncertain, leaning into forward motion, even in small ways, can reignite a sense of purpose. By actively choosing growth during stress or chaos, you start to shift. You become more agile, more equipped. Like a car responding to pressure, your potential stretches as far as you\u2019re willing to accelerate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hopeful-thinking-patterns-support-healthy-brain-function\">Hopeful thinking patterns support healthy brain function<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our brain\u2019s reward system is deeply influenced by hope and the forward-looking anticipation of positive outcomes. This mental orientation can serve as a powerful shield against anxiety and depression. While <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/these-2-daily-habits-can-help-build-your-optimism-muscle-in-difficult-times\/\">optimism<\/a> involves expecting the best, hope goes further: It requires action and can be strengthened with practice.\u00a0Not just wishful thinking, but a mindset that a better outcome is within reach. This belief sparks key brain areas like the prefrontal cortex and dopamine pathways, driving purposeful action toward a more meaningful life. Scientists now suggest that mastering this mindset is not only good for our mental health\u2014it\u2019s also <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10348811\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">good for our brain<\/a>. The best part? It\u2019s something we can all tap into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><em>Photo by Bricolage\/Shutterstock<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A new study shows hope is more than a feeling\u2014it\u2019s a mindset that drives meaning, resilience and brain health. See what the research reveals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32523,"featured_media":88119,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14059],"tags":[14581],"class_list":["post-88117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","tag-news"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/study-hope-meaningful-life.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Pablo Urdiales Antelo","author_link":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/author\/pablo-urdiales-antelo\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.1 (Yoast SEO v25.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>New Study Finds Hope Is Key to a Meaningful Life | SUCCESS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A new study shows hope is more than a feeling\u2014it\u2019s a mindset that drives meaning, resilience and brain health. See what the research reveals.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"New Study Reveals This Emotion Is Key to a Meaningful Life\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A new study shows hope is more than a feeling\u2014it\u2019s a mindset that drives meaning, resilience and brain health. 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See what the research reveals."],"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":["83"],"_yoast_wpseo_content_score":["90"],"_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":[""],"_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":[""],"_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":["4"],"_thumbnail_id":["88119"],"_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":["https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/study-hope-meaningful-life-social-1024x540.jpg"],"_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":["88120"],"_elementor_page_assets":["a:0:{}"],"jet_engine_store_count_recently-viewed":["125"],"_yoast_indexnow_last_ping":["1751022013"]},"guest_author_field_data":{"main_author_is":"user","guest_authors":[],"user_authors":[{"user_email":"purdiales-antelo@mailinator.com","user_login":"Pablo Urdiales Antelo","first_name":"Pablo","last_name":"Urdiales Antelo","display_name":"Pablo Urdiales Antelo","nickname":"Pablo Urdiales Antelo","user_meta":{"nickname":["Pablo Urdiales Antelo"],"first_name":["Pablo"],"last_name":["Urdiales Antelo"],"description":["<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pablo Urdiales Antelo is a news writer with a sharp focus on politics and business. Drawing from his experience in breaking news and pop culture commentary, he offers a comprehensive and international perspective on current affairs, helping audiences decode the complexities of our modern world.<\/span>"],"rich_editing":["true"],"syntax_highlighting":["true"],"comment_shortcuts":["false"],"admin_color":["fresh"],"use_ssl":["0"],"show_admin_bar_front":["true"],"locale":[""],"wp_capabilities":["a:1:{s:6:\"author\";b:1;}"],"wp_user_level":["0"],"_yoast_wpseo_profile_updated":["1726689370"],"dismissed_wp_pointers":[""],"wpseo_metadesc":[""],"wpseo_title":[""],"wpseo_content_analysis_disable":[""],"wpseo_keyword_analysis_disable":[""],"wpseo_user_schema":["a:0:{}"],"molongui_author_phone":[""],"molongui_author_job":[""],"molongui_author_company":[""],"molongui_author_company_link":[""],"molongui_author_custom_link":[""],"molongui_author_box_display":["default"],"molongui_author_image_id":["79382"],"molongui_author_image_url":["https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Pablo-Urdiales-Antelo.png"],"molongui_author_image_edit":["https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-admin\/post.php?post=79382&action=edit&image-editor"],"advanced-ads-role":[""],"molongui_author_post_count":["1"]}}]},"custom_post_content":"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A new study reveals that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/hope-quotes\/\">hope<\/a> is not just an abstract feeling, but a powerful psychological mindset that shapes human thought and behavior. Although we exist constantly in the eternal present, our minds instinctively navigate past memories and future possibilities to shape our decisions, giving us the option to choose how we view the expanse of our lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-university-of-missouri-study-finds-hope-drives-deeper-meaning-in-life\">University of Missouri study finds hope drives deeper meaning in life<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A study conducted by the University of Missouri team highlights hope as a uniquely powerful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/10-clever-tricks-to-trigger-positive-emotions\/\">positive emotion<\/a> that cultivates a profound sense of meaning. \u201cOur research shifts the perspective on hope from merely a cognitive process related to goal attainment to recognizing it as a vital emotional experience that enriches life\u2019s meaning,\u201d said Megan Edwards, who earned a doctorate at the University of Missouri<strong> <\/strong>and is now a postdoctoral scholar at Duke University, in a <a href=\"https:\/\/showme.missouri.edu\/2025\/hope-is-the-key-to-a-meaningful-life-according-to-new-research\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">public statement<\/a>. \u201cThis insight opens new avenues for enhancing psychological well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Drawing on data from six studies involving over 2,300 participants of varied backgrounds, the researchers examined multiple emotions such as amusement, contentment, excitement and happiness. Their results revealed that hope was a consistent predictor of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/build-life-aligned-with-values\/\">deeper sense of meaning in life<\/a>. From our basic survival to the everyday question of how long the trip home from work will take, hope lives inside all of us, all the time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:html -->\n\n<!-- \/wp:html -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-episodic-thinking-helps-us-stay-ambitious-and-hopeful\">Episodic thinking helps us stay ambitious and hopeful<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Everyone holds their own expectations, desires and sources of gratification. Some dream of lying on a beach; others seek a new relationship or aim to commit to a healthier lifestyle. These ambitions often become small hopeful steps that remind us life is always evolving and moving forward. This mental time travel, our ability to vividly imagine future moments worth striving for, is actually very healthy.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Even small progress in life often means more than we realize. It reshapes our outlook, illuminates the path ahead and reassures us that we\u2019re headed where we need to be.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Scholars have long debated how to define this instinctive phenomenon and how to place it among the many natural human impulses, emotions and thought processes that guide our day. Is it a survival mechanism like fear, a motivational force like desire or a cognitive habit like planning? Some view it as a bridge between emotion and cognition, while others argue it\u2019s a uniquely human response to uncertainty and potential.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-role-of-meaning-and-hope-in-unlocking-life-s-rewards\">The role of meaning and hope in unlocking life\u2019s rewards<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>From the University of Missouri\u2019s Department of Psychological Sciences, Laura King highlights the vital connection between hope and meaning. \u201cExperiencing life as meaningful is crucial for just about every good thing you can imagine in a person\u2019s life,\u201d King said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/showme.missouri.edu\/2025\/hope-is-the-key-to-a-meaningful-life-according-to-new-research\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">statement<\/a>. \u201cThis cornerstone of psychological functioning is not a rare experience\u2014it is available to people in their everyday lives and hope is one of the things that make life feel meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The researchers identified several ways to channel our natural sense of hope into meaningful action. One of the most effective is simply noticing and savoring positive moments. We tend to rush through the good times, forgetting they\u2019re fleeting. Those moments matter precisely because they don\u2019t last\u2014so hold onto them. Let your best memories serve as a reminder that joy is real and possible, and allow them to give shape to your hopes for the future.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Equally important is maintaining momentum during life\u2019s harder stretches. When everything feels uncertain, leaning into forward motion, even in small ways, can reignite a sense of purpose. By actively choosing growth during stress or chaos, you start to shift. You become more agile, more equipped. Like a car responding to pressure, your potential stretches as far as you\u2019re willing to accelerate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hopeful-thinking-patterns-support-healthy-brain-function\">Hopeful thinking patterns support healthy brain function<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Our brain\u2019s reward system is deeply influenced by hope and the forward-looking anticipation of positive outcomes. This mental orientation can serve as a powerful shield against anxiety and depression. While <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/these-2-daily-habits-can-help-build-your-optimism-muscle-in-difficult-times\/\">optimism<\/a> involves expecting the best, hope goes further: It requires action and can be strengthened with practice.\u00a0Not just wishful thinking, but a mindset that a better outcome is within reach. This belief sparks key brain areas like the prefrontal cortex and dopamine pathways, driving purposeful action toward a more meaningful life. Scientists now suggest that mastering this mindset is not only good for our mental health\u2014it\u2019s also <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10348811\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">good for our brain<\/a>. The best part? It\u2019s something we can all tap into.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"fontSize\":\"small\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><em>Photo by Bricolage\/Shutterstock<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","tag_names":["news"],"post_attachment_urls":[],"author_email":"purdiales-antelo@mailinator.com","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88117","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32523"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=88117"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88117\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/88119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=88117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=88117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=88117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}