 |
Discover the Surprising Truth Behind Happiness: Insights from an 85-Year Human Study on Health, Money & Relationships – Powered by Veritasium Info’s Mind & Matter |
What Truly Leads to a Happy Life? Insights from the Longest Human Study Ever
People have long debated what makes a life truly happy. Many quickly jump to the idea that money is the answer — the more wealth, the better. You hear it everywhere: “Money can’t buy happiness,” people say, but deep down, it feels like having enough money would solve a lot of problems. After all, financial security brings comfort, options, and freedom, right? But is that really the whole picture?
In this article, we explore the science of happiness, focusing on one of the most remarkable studies ever conducted on human wellbeing — a research project that has tracked people’s lives continuously for over 85 years. What have scientists learned about what makes us happy and healthy? The findings may surprise you.
Money and Happiness: A Complex Relationship
Let’s start with the obvious: money matters. When people talk about what will make them happy, many mention wealth or financial success. In a 2018 survey of about 100,000 college freshmen, over half said they wanted a successful career, and more than 80% said becoming rich was a goal. The assumption is simple — more money means more happiness.
But studies tell a different story. People often overestimate how much happiness money will bring. Consider lottery winners: you’d expect them to be ecstatic permanently, right? But research shows that after an initial burst of joy, many lottery winners return to their usual levels of happiness, or in some cases, become less happy than before. Why? Because sudden wealth can disrupt social relationships and create isolation.
Moreover, people are not very good at predicting what will make them happy in the long term. Our brains store memories of happiness imperfectly — often only bits and pieces — so when we try to remember what made us happy, we can be misled by nostalgia or immediate feelings.
Studying Happiness Over a Lifetime: The Harvard Study of Adult Development
To truly understand happiness, you can’t just ask people what they think will make them happy. Instead, you need to follow their lives in real time and see what choices lead to long-term wellbeing.
This is exactly what the Harvard Study of Adult Development has done since 1938. It is the longest study of human development ever undertaken. Initially, it followed two groups of men: one group was Harvard students from privileged backgrounds, and the other group was boys from Boston’s poorest neighborhoods. Over time, these two studies merged and expanded, eventually including the participants’ families as well.
The study collected rich data — interviews, physical exams, psychological tests — every two years. The participants went on to live diverse lives: some became factory workers, others doctors, lawyers, and even a U.S. president. By tracking their lives, researchers could see what factors at age 50 predicted happiness and health decades later.
Key Findings: Health and Relationships Are Everything
Physical Health
Unsurprisingly, taking care of your body has major effects on your happiness and longevity. People who eat well, exercise regularly, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, and get preventive healthcare tend to live longer and enjoy better health.
One large Taiwanese study involving over 400,000 people found that just 15 minutes of daily exercise reduced the risk of dying by 14% and added approximately three years to life expectancy. More exercise brought further benefits. Other meta-analyses confirm that physical activity lowers risks of heart disease, cognitive decline, and dementia.
The Power of Relationships
The biggest surprise from the Harvard Study and many others is how crucial relationships are to happiness and health.
Having close, supportive relationships doesn’t just make life more enjoyable; it actually helps keep us physically healthier and live longer.
One review of 148 studies, encompassing over 300,000 people, found that strong social connections increase the chance of survival by 50% at any given time. Being married, in particular, is linked to longer life — married men live on average 12 years longer than unmarried men, and married women live seven years longer than unmarried women.
Why is marriage so beneficial? It’s not just the legal status, but the intimate partnership itself. When you live with someone who cares for you, that person often encourages healthy habits, monitors your wellbeing, and provides emotional support.
When Loneliness Strikes: A Public Health Crisis
If close relationships help us thrive, loneliness can harm us just as much. A researcher from the University of Utah, Julianne Holt-Lunstad, reviewed many studies on loneliness and found that its impact on health rivals smoking half a pack of cigarettes a day or being obese.
Loneliness is linked to increased risks of heart disease, stroke, cognitive decline, and early death. Feeling disconnected creates chronic stress in the body, elevating cortisol and inflammation levels, which damages organs over time.
The problem is growing: half of all adults report measurable loneliness, and young people seem to be the most affected group. Governments worldwide recognize loneliness as a serious health epidemic. The UK even appointed a Minister of Loneliness to tackle this social issue.
Loneliness vs. Being Alone: What’s the Difference?
It’s important to distinguish loneliness from solitude. Being alone doesn’t mean you’re lonely. Many people enjoy and even need solitude to recharge. Introverts, for example, might prefer a small circle of close friends and plenty of quiet time, while extroverts thrive on many social interactions.
Loneliness is a subjective feeling — the gap between the social connections you want and the ones you actually have. It’s possible to feel lonely even when surrounded by people, if those connections lack depth or authenticity.
Quality Over Quantity: What Kind of Relationships Matter?
It’s not about how many people you know or even marital status alone. A bad marriage can be worse for health than divorce.
The Harvard Study showed that what mattered most for happiness and health at age 80 was the quality of the participants’ relationships at age 50. Those who felt satisfied and supported in their marriages and close friendships were far happier and healthier decades later.
Strong relationships also protect the brain. People in secure partnerships tend to maintain sharper memories and cognitive functions as they age. In contrast, loneliness speeds cognitive decline and increases dementia risk.
Why Do Relationships Make Such a Difference?
Relationships serve as regulators of our emotions and stress. Stressful events are part of life, but healthy relationships help us recover from stress faster.
When stressed, our body activates the fight-or-flight response: heart rate and blood pressure rise, stress hormones like cortisol flood the bloodstream. Normally, after the challenge passes, the body returns to calm.
However, people who lack social support can remain stuck in this heightened stress state longer. This chronic stress wears down the immune system and organs, increasing risks for heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes.
Simply put, having someone to talk to and share your struggles with helps your body stay balanced and healthy.
Why Are We So Disconnected Today?
Even though relationships are vital to wellbeing, many of us spend less time with close friends and family than in the past. Busy schedules, technology distractions, work demands, and urban lifestyles often pull people apart.
Social media can give the illusion of connection but often lacks the depth that real-life interactions provide. This growing disconnect contributes to rising loneliness and its harmful health effects.
What Can We Do to Build a Happier, Healthier Life?
Take Care of Your Body
Regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, sufficient sleep, and avoiding harmful habits form the foundation of wellbeing.
Invest in Meaningful Relationships
Prioritize spending time with people you care about. Cultivate close friendships and nurturing partnerships. Make time for conversations, shared experiences, and emotional support.
Seek Help When Needed
Mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, or chronic stress can hinder happiness. Therapy and counseling provide valuable tools and support. Online platforms like BetterHelp offer convenient access to licensed therapists regardless of location.
Conclusion: The Recipe for a Happy Life
After decades of research following thousands of people through their lives, the evidence is clear. Money alone is not the key to happiness. Physical health matters, but even more important are the relationships we build and maintain.
Strong, supportive relationships help us live longer, stay healthier, and keep our minds sharp. They act as buffers against stress and loneliness — two of the biggest threats to our wellbeing.
So if you want to live a happy and fulfilling life, nurture the connections that matter. Spend time with loved ones. Take care of your body. And don’t underestimate the power of human connection.
Because in the end, a happy life is not about wealth, but about the warmth and support of those who walk alongside us.
If you found this article insightful, feel free to explore further resources on wellbeing and human psychology at NeoScience World, EduVerse Science, Mind & Matter, SciSpark Hub, ModernMind Science, SmartScience Today, QuantumEd, The Learning Atom, Future of Facts, Veritas Learn, and veritasium info.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
