Read on Twitter
What is the greatest predictor of health, happiness, & well-being?
The longest study ever conducted on human happiness answered that question.
The answer might surprise you...
but it shouldn't.
It is our relationships.
[a quick thread on 3 key lessons from the study
]
![What is the greatest predictor of health, happiness, & well-being? The longest study ever conducted on human happiness answered that question. The answer might surprise you... but it shouldn't. It is our relationships. [a quick thread on 3 key lessons from the study ]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EtblNaxWYAMTZAO.jpg "What is the greatest predictor of health, happiness, & well-being? The longest study ever conducted on human happiness answered that question. The answer might surprise you... but it shouldn't. It is our relationships. [a quick thread on 3 key lessons from the study ]")
The longest study ever conducted on human happiness answered that question.
The answer might surprise you...
but it shouldn't.
It is our relationships.
[a quick thread on 3 key lessons from the study
]
The Harvard study of adult development may be the longest study of adult life that's ever been done.
Starting in 1938, they tracked two groups of men: one group were sophomores at Harvard, the other was from Boston's poorest neighborhoods.
(They recently began including women.)
Starting in 1938, they tracked two groups of men: one group were sophomores at Harvard, the other was from Boston's poorest neighborhoods.
(They recently began including women.)
When the men entered the study, they were given medical exams. Their families were interviewed in their homes.
They grew up and ended up in all walks of life.
Some became factory workers. Others became lawyers and bricklayers and doctors.
They grew up and ended up in all walks of life.
Some became factory workers. Others became lawyers and bricklayers and doctors.
One became President of the United States, some developed alcoholism, a few developed schizophrenia.
Some climbed the social ladder.
Others fell in the opposite direction.
After decades, what were the biggest lessons they learned?
Some climbed the social ladder.
Others fell in the opposite direction.
After decades, what were the biggest lessons they learned?
The biggest lesson is not about money.
Fame.
Wealth or status.
It is about relationships.
The biggest lesson they got is this:
Good relationships keep us happier and healthier.
They are good for our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
3 KEY LESSONS
Fame.
Wealth or status.
It is about relationships.
The biggest lesson they got is this:
Good relationships keep us happier and healthier.
They are good for our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
3 KEY LESSONS
LESSON #1
"The first is that social connections are really good for us. And that loneliness kills."
People who are well connected lead happier, healthier, and longer lives.
People who are more isolated than they want to be from others find that they are less happy.
"The first is that social connections are really good for us. And that loneliness kills."
People who are well connected lead happier, healthier, and longer lives.
People who are more isolated than they want to be from others find that they are less happy.
Their health declines quicker than their peers who are well connected.
Sadly, at any given time, 1 in 5 American adults report feeling lonely.
Sadly, at any given time, 1 in 5 American adults report feeling lonely.
LESSON #2
"The second big lesson that we learned is that it's not just the number of friends you have."
It is the quality of the close relationships you have.
High conflict marriages may be worse for our health than getting divorced but good relationships are protective.
"The second big lesson that we learned is that it's not just the number of friends you have."
It is the quality of the close relationships you have.
High conflict marriages may be worse for our health than getting divorced but good relationships are protective.
Good relationships protect us from the dangers of aging.
Consider, for example, the emphasis that Scandinavian countries place on relationships and social support.
5 of the 10 happiest countries in the world are Scandinavian. https://scandinaviafacts.com/why-are-scandinavian-countries-so-happy/
Consider, for example, the emphasis that Scandinavian countries place on relationships and social support.
5 of the 10 happiest countries in the world are Scandinavian. https://scandinaviafacts.com/why-are-scandinavian-countries-so-happy/
When people who were in good relationships expressed experiencing physical pain, their happiness remain unchanged if they were in good relationships.
Conversely, if they reported being in bad relationships, their mood waned.
We can be sure that relationships help us as we age.
Conversely, if they reported being in bad relationships, their mood waned.
We can be sure that relationships help us as we age.
LESSON #3
"The third big lesson that we learn about relationships on our health is that good relationships don't just protect our bodies, they protect our brains."
The people who felt they could count on their partners and friends had better mental health.
"The third big lesson that we learn about relationships on our health is that good relationships don't just protect our bodies, they protect our brains."
The people who felt they could count on their partners and friends had better mental health.
Their memories stayed sharper, longer.
They could argue daily (like those old couples that always bicker) but as long as they felt like they could count on the other person (even if it was just that they'd be there to bicker), they got the benefit.
What is our biggest takeaway?
They could argue daily (like those old couples that always bicker) but as long as they felt like they could count on the other person (even if it was just that they'd be there to bicker), they got the benefit.
What is our biggest takeaway?
The good life has little to do with wealth, the car you drive, or the house you own.
The good life is built with relationships.
The good life is built with relationships.
You can watch the Ted Talk given by Robert Waldinger, the current director of the study, and read the transcript here: https://www.kylebowe.com/what-makes-a-good-life
Thank you for the retweet and support as per usual @jennykim! I appreciate you.
Thanks for the retweet @mcgillmd921! It was a pleasure connecting with you this week (glad to count you as a friend as well).
