7 Harsh Truths from Harvard's 85-Year Study of Happiness

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Page 2. 85 years. That's how long The Harvard Study of Adult Development has been running. Directed by Robert Waldinger. The study has helped provide priceless insights into human happiness:

Page 3. Not wealth, not fame. —Relationships. It's not the only thing that matters, but time and time again this proved to be the biggest factor.

Page 4. Loneliness leads to chronic stress. This can have a similar effect on our health as smoking half a pack of cigarettes per day.

Page 5. For relationships: Quality > Quantity The study shows that even 1 or 2 close connections is sufficient. Introversion can even be an ADVANTAGE. As introverts may not require as many connections to feel fulfilled.

Page 6. Connection = more happiness Comparison = less happiness Using social media to make genuine connections with others can create fulfillment in your life. If you use it to doomscroll—not so much.

Page 7. Purpose is powerful. People who have purpose in their work, experience greater life satisfaction and happiness. —Whether paid or unpaid. If your career doesn't provide these feelings—try volunteering for a cause you're passionate about.

Page 8. "A healthy man wants a thousand things —asick man wants only one." Unsurprisingly, the people in good health reported much higher levels of life-satisfaction.

Page 9. 50s, 60s, 70s. It doesn't matter. Many individuals reported overhauling their happiness later in life after taking conscious action to improve it. Think it's too late to be happy? —Think again.

Page 10. Yes, money impacts our happiness. But only up to a point. Better to think of money as a tool that gives us security and a sense of control over our lives, rather than a solution to all of our problems. 6;

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Source: Colby Kultgen on LinkedIn — view the original post.