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We are all searching for happiness. But how do we achieve it? What are its greatest determinants?
The Harvard Study of Adult Development may be the most comprehensive study ever conducted, as it followed its participants for their entire adult lives. The study was started in Boston in 1938 and has already covered three generations: grandparents, parents, and children, who are now considered "baby boomers." It analyzed more than 2000 people throughout 85 years of longitudinal study.
In January, Robert Waldinger, MD, the current director of this incredible study, published the book The Good Life: Lessons From the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness, co-authored with the study's associate director, Marc Schulz, PhD.
By following this large population for more than eight decades, the study uncovered the factors most correlated with well-being and happiness. Here, I have summarized some of the authors' main concepts.
Most Important Factors
The study's happiest participants had two major factors in common throughout its 85 years: taking care of their health and building loving relationships with others.
It seems obvious that being in good health is essential to live well. However, to some surprise, researchers determined that good relationships were the most significant predictor of health and happiness during aging. Other authors have confirmed this finding, and research has sought to analyze the physiological mechanisms associated with this benefit.
Professional Success Insufficient
Professional success on its own does not guarantee happiness, even though it may be gratifying. The study revealed that those who were happiest were not isolated. In fact, the happiest people valued and fostered relationships. Levels of education and cultural awareness, which tend to be higher among those with higher salaries, were also important factors for adopting healthy habits (promoted more often as of the 1960s) and for better access to
CLICK HERE to read more about study findings.
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