Live Long and Prosper
As a young man in my twenties, I thought the key to my success and happiness was making a lot of money. I became intensively focused on that one thing. That’s what I thought I was supposed to do. I neglected most of the things that have been shown to contribute to happiness and well-being. The unhappy ending to this story is that I never made a lot of money and lost a lot of the really important things along the way. I didn’t know what it meant to really prosper in life.
We live in a hierarchical, ego-driven culture that celebrates success, beauty, and fame. They all look so happy with their fancy cars, houses, and adoring male and female companions. While that might look like the road to prosperity for a young person just starting out. the research shows the opposite.
The Harvard Study of Adult Development is a longitudinal study that began in 1938 and is still ongoing. It is the longest study of adult development in the world. The study began with 724 male sophomores at Harvard University and has followed them throughout their lives, tracking their physical and mental health, as well as their relationships, careers, and lifestyles.
The study has found that the single most important factor in predicting longevity and well-being is the quality of one's relationships. People who have strong social connections, particularly close relationships with family and friends, tend to live longer, healthier, and happier lives than those who are more isolated.
The study has also found that other factors that contribute to longevity and well-being include:
Physical health: People who take care of their physical health, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking, tend to live longer and healthier lives.
Mental health: People who have good mental health, such as feeling happy and optimistic, tend to live longer and healthier lives.
Purpose in life: People who have a sense of purpose in life, such as a job they enjoy or a cause they are passionate about, tend to live longer and healthier lives.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the study:
Loneliness kills: People who are more isolated are more likely to die prematurely, even after controlling for other factors such as smoking, drinking, and physical health.
Close relationships matter: People who have strong social connections, particularly close relationships with family and friends, tend to live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
Quality matters more than quantity: The number of social connections you have is not as important as the quality of those connections.
Marry well: Having a stable, supportive marriage is one of the best predictors of a long and happy life.
Forgive others: Holding onto grudges can take a toll on your physical and mental health.
Give back: Helping others is good for your health and happiness.
Take care of your health: Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep are all important for longevity and well-being.
Find meaning and purpose in life: Having a sense of purpose can help you cope with stress and adversity, and it can also give your life meaning and direction.
It turns out that it’s not that hard to live long and prosper.