When employees lack purpose, health risks skyrocket

New research from The Cigna Group finds that people who have a strong sense of purpose experience far higher vitality, better health, stronger relationships and greater engagement at work. Yet, according to the global health company’s 2025 Vitality in America report, fewer than one in three American adults report having a strong sense of purpose.

Employees without a clear sense of purpose are more likely to be disengaged, burned out and seek new jobs—leading to costly absenteeism and turnover, according to the report, which defines “vitality” as “the ability to pursue life with health, strength and energy.”

“Having a sense of purpose gives people energy and helps them feel happier and healthier,” Stuart Lustig, national medical executive for behavioral strategy and product design for Cigna Healthcare, said in a statement. “When you know what matters to you, you’re more likely to bounce back from tough times, build strong friendships and take care of yourself—doing things like eating well, staying active and getting enough rest, all which impact your overall physical health.”

See also: The 6 lesser-known dimensions of wellbeing and how to improve them

Here are three more highlights from the report:

1. People without purpose are two to three times more likely to feel depressed. People without purpose have significantly lower vitality than those who have a strong sense of purpose. They’re also five times less likely to feel energized (13% vs. 63%) and three times less likely to look forward to each day (31% vs. 86%).
2. Lacking purpose is linked to unhealthy behaviors. Individuals who lack purpose are less likely to have had an annual physical or dental exam within the past year and are half as likely to wake feeling rested. Roughly one in three people (36%) who lack purpose say they practice mindful nutrition. On the other hand, 84% of adults with strong purpose say they feel in control over their future health, compared to 55% of those without strong purpose.
3. Loneliness befriends those without purpose. People with a strong sense of purpose have the confidence and competence necessary to strengthen relationships, and they actively choose to spend time with the people in their lives who matter. Individuals with a strong sense of purpose are also more engaged in their community through volunteering, with 42% reporting they volunteer, compared to 26% of those who do not have a strong sense of purpose. Of those who do not feel purposeful, only one in three say they know how to make friends or can meaningfully connect with others.

To that end, the report also offers strategies to help foster vitality and purpose—including deepening connections with others, taking ownership of health and building a sense of shared objectives at work.

This is the fourth annual report published by The Cigna Group on the state of vitality in America. It is based on the Evernorth Vitality Index, which measures an individual’s sense of competency, autonomy, and relatedness across eight dimensions of health: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, purpose and social.

This article was originally published on BenefitsPRO, a sister site of HR Executive. For more content like this delivered to your inbox, sign up for BenefitsPRO newsletters here.