What makes a person happy? The study of this issue was devoted to the longest study conducted by scientists at Harvard University. Its results, or rather, the lessons to be learned, were presented by Robert Waldinger – professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. As part of his TED Talks, an American psychiatrist shared with the audience extremely valuable information that scientists were able to extract from a study lasting 75 years.
Why are scientists interested in what makes a person happy?
Having traveled the path of life and looking back, we rethink the past years and understand what it was necessary to invest our vitality, energy, time and money, but many realize this too late. We are chasing fame, wealth, leaving only a small part of the time for loved ones and loved ones.
According to a survey of millennials (people born between the early 80s and the mid 90s – early 2000s), the two most common goals in their lives – become rich and famous.
Scientists have long been interested in what actually makes a person happy. At the same time, they were well aware that it was simply impossible to build a complete picture of a person’s life, decisions made and their consequences, based on memories. As you know, a person does not remember all the information, and even important memories can sometimes be significantly distorted.
That's why the experts decided to conduct the longest study, studying the life of a group of people from adolescence to old age, to see what actually makes them happy and healthy.
How was the Adult Development Study conducted?
The longest study of adult life spanned 75 years. It was attended by 724 men who answered questions about their personal lives, health, and work. The uniqueness of this study lies precisely in its duration. As a rule, such projects do not last more than 10 years due to the termination of funding, the emergence of new interests among the authors of the study, the death of researchers, etc.
However, the Adult Development Study (Study of Adult Development), conducted by scientists at Harvard University, was an exception. About 60 of the original 724 volunteers (the first group are second-year students at Harvard College, the second are boys from the poorer neighborhoods of Boston) are still alive and continue to participate in the project. Most of them are over 90 years old. Professor Robert Waldinger is the fourth leader of the project, which is already beginning to study more than 2,000 children of its original participants.
During the course of the study, participants are constantly answering questionnaires, scientists receive their medical records from doctors, conduct tests, and talk to their children and wives. What lessons have been learned from this?
What Really Makes a Person Happy: 3 Important Lessons Learned from Research
Over the life of volunteers, experts have collected a huge amount of information. Over 75 years of work, scientists have managed to find out that good relationships make a person happy, and not wealth, career or fame.
3 important lessons about relationships
- Loneliness kills
People who maintain strong bonds with loved ones, friends and relatives are not only happier, they live longer than lonely, isolated people. Physical health and brain function in non-lonely people last longer.
A good relationship makes a person truly happy. This is – not a discovery, but wisdom proven over the years, scientifically confirmed.
- It is the quality, not the quantity, of the relationship that counts
According to Professor Waldinger, it is important to understand that loneliness is not determined by the complete absence of social contacts. You can feel lonely both in marriage and in a busy social life. Therefore, unhappy marriages have a detrimental effect on a person’s health and life, and it is relationship satisfaction at the age of 50 that is the determining factor in health at 80. Surveys of couples have shown that emotional pain only intensifies physical pain, and in a happy relationship it is easier to survive the blows of fate, including illness.
- Good relationships protect the brain
It is a strong attachment to another person, especially in adulthood, that protects the human brain. People in good, healthy relationships retain good memories longer. At the same time, quarrels, as psychologists note, – by no means an indicator of an unhealthy relationship. If you, despite all the hardships, can count on the support of a loved one in difficult times, appreciate your soul mate and learn how to resolve conflicts correctly.
Building quality, trusting relationships is difficult – this requires a lot of time and effort. However, betting on a happy marriage, meetings with friends and communication with relatives and like-minded people, you will not lose. Start investing in relationships today: communicate with your parents regularly, have fun with your friends, don't hold grudges, learn to forgive others and help them. Remember that good relationships make a person truly happy. This is – not a discovery, but wisdom proven over the years, scientifically confirmed.
Adapted from TED Talks.
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