.png)
The longest study ever conducted on human happiness has revealed some fascinating insights about what really leads to health and fulfillment over a lifetime. I had the opportunity to find out more from the director of the 80-year Harvard Study of Adult Development, Dr. Robert Waldinger, as Chester Elton and I interviewed Bob on the Anxiety at Work podcast.
Dr. Waldinger is professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of the important new book “The Good Life.” For more than 80 years, researchers like Bob have tracked the lives of people as part of this study. The project has followed participants from adolescence into old age, collecting data on their physical and mental health, jobs, relationships, and more.
Here’s what Dr. Waldinger says are foundational elements leading to happiness and a good, long life:
Relationships are Key to Health and Happiness
The insight from the Harvard study is that close relationships and social connections are crucial for our well-being as we age. Having supportive and nurturing relationships is a buffer against life’s stresses and protects overall health. According to Dr. Waldinger, good relationships "keep us healthier and happier." People with more robust social connections showed lower rates of diabetes, arthritis, cognitive decline, and other chronic conditions. The researchers hypothesize that close relationships act as "stress regulators"—they help our bodies calm down and return to equilibrium after being revved up by challenging events.