A team of researchers from the University of North Carolina and UCLA found that subjects with a sense of well-being derived from “a noble purpose” (eudaimonics) may enjoy cellular health benefits, whereas predominantly “simple self-gratifying” subjects (hedonics) may have negative effects. Hedonics tested positive for weakened immune systems and heightened inflammatory-associated indicators, whereas eudaimonics showed lower inflammatory genetic expression and stronger immune systems. It seems that identifying with something greater than oneself can pay real dividends.

The study, “A functional genomic perspective on human well-being,” can be found at http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/07/25/1305419110.abstract