A Neglected Emotion May Be Tied to Better Mental Health

Think about the people who have left a mark on your life.

It could be a friend who still jokes with you about a shared memory, a relative who keeps a tradition you began, or someone who says they learned something meaningful from knowing you.

Those ties can give people a sense that their lives matter and that they will leave something behind. But can that feeling also affect mental health?

A study involving 2,912 adults examined whether feeling that you will be remembered is connected to mental well-being and addictive behaviors.

What the study examined

Researchers focused on a concept known as symbolic immortality.

In simple terms, it refers to the belief that some part of you will continue through the people you have influenced, the memories you have created, or the communities you have belonged to.

The idea comes from terror management theory, which looks at how people deal with the knowledge that life eventually ends. The theory suggests that feeling loved, valued and connected to something larger than ourselves can help reduce some of the anxiety that comes with that reality.

To test the idea, researchers asked 2,912 adults about symbolic immortality, mental health symptoms and potentially addictive behaviors.

Feeling remembered was associated with fewer mental health symptoms

People who were more confident they would be remembered reported fewer symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trouble regulating emotions and sleep problems.

They also reported fewer addictive behaviors, including problematic use of alcohol, cannabis and prescription drugs.

The same pattern showed up with behavioral addictions, including gambling, gaming, excessive use of social media and the internet, pornography use and compulsive sexual behavior.

A stronger sense of symbolic immortality was also linked with higher self-esteem, less anxiety about security in close relationships, a stronger national identity and a greater sense of meaning in life.

Why feeling that you matter may help

Feeling valued and connected can create a sense of belonging. According to terror management theory, those feelings may also help people cope with the fact that life is finite.

Think about how different a hard day can feel when you have people to rely on, a community you belong to, or a purpose that reaches beyond your daily obligations.

These relationships can reinforce the idea that you are valued and that your life has meaning.

The researchers suggest that people who feel less secure in their purpose or connection may be more vulnerable to emotional distress and may be more likely to turn to substances or compulsive behaviors as a coping strategy.

It is important to note that the study found associations, not cause and effect. It cannot show whether feeling remembered directly improves mental health or reduces addictive behaviors.

Even so, the findings point to a notable connection between feeling that your life has meaning and several parts of psychological well-being.

Ways to build more meaning and connection

You do not need a major accomplishment to have a meaningful impact. Small, everyday actions can strengthen relationships and a sense of belonging.

• Invest in meaningful relationships: Make time for a friend, call a family member, or reach out to someone you have not spoken with in a while.
• Look for ways to contribute: Volunteering, mentoring, or helping a neighbor can remind you that you are part of something bigger than yourself.
• Reflect on the impact you want to leave: Think about the values you want to pass on, the relationships you want to nurture, or the difference you hope to make through your work.

The takeaway

You do not need to change the world to make a difference in it.

Staying connected, showing up for other people and finding meaning in everyday life may support mental well-being more than you realize.