A study out of Harvard may have discovered the key to happiness, and no, it’s not money.
The results are from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, which is the longest-running happiness study in the world. Started in 1938, the study follows 724 men from teenage-hood to old age, and eventually it incorporated their spouses and 1,300 of their descendants. They are asked about their health, habits, income, relationships and the hopes, joys, disappointments and regrets that come with.
According to the study, it’s not money or fame that drives happiness, it’s the quality of our relationships with others. The study suggests that people with strong, supportive relationships were happier, healthier and lived longer than those with weak or troubled relationships. Additionally, the study found that “social fitness,” or the ability to build and maintain strong relationships, was more important to long-term happiness than genes, social class or IQ.
Why Strong Relationships Are So Important
Strong relationships impact our happiness level in many ways. Researchers say that people with strong relationships are more likely to:
- Have a greater sense of belonging and purpose
- Feel supported and loved
- Cope with stress and adversity
- Have improved mental and physical health
- Live longer
When people hear the term “social fitness,” they often picture a gregarious, outgoing extrovert, but you don’t need to always be talking to someone in order to form strong relationships. Those with strong relationships and those with strong social fitness were more likely to:
- Spend time with loved ones on a regular basis.
- Be a good listener, really trying to understand what the other person is saying
- Be supportive in someone else’s time of need
- Be forgiving when others make mistakes
- Have an overall positive attitude
Now, having strong relationships isn’t the only way to improve your overall happiness. Researchers also said that those who took care of their physical health were happier and healthier than those who did not. In the context of this study, taking care of their physical health meant eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and enjoying quality and restful sleep most nights.
They say that money can’t buy happiness, and this study may just prove it. But you may be able to improve your happiness by making it a point to foster strong relationships with friends and family. And of course, prioritize your health! You can’t always control your relationships with other people despite your best intentions, but you can control what you put in your body and whether or not you commit to excising regularly and getting quality sleep. If you prioritize these factors, you may just find a little more joy in your life!
If you need help overcoming a foot or ankle injury that is impacting your quality of life or making it more challenging to exercise regularly, connect with Dr. Silverman and his team today!