A long, happy life – who doesn’t want that? A Harvard study found six aspects that are needed for this.
Over 800 test subjects. Six to eight decades of observation. The Harvard study, published in the book “Aging Well: Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult Development,” is a bit of research history. The result: six important factors for a long, happy life.
The participants were divided into three groups in the study.
- Group A: 268 Harvard graduates born around 1920
- Group B: 456 urban men from social disadvantage, born around 1930
- Group C: 90 educated middle class women born around 1910
6 factors that speak for a long, happy life
1. Education equals reason
The first important point for a long and happy life: education. However, the main thing is not to have the highest IQ, but rather to be interested in education in general and to want to learn something. The researchers have discovered that this thirst for knowledge can be equated with reason. He spoke to the test subjects in favor of a more sensible, healthier lifestyle, including a balanced diet and little to no alcohol.
2. Love in childhood
While we can actively shape our education, this factor is far in the past and can no longer be influenced. Nevertheless, the long-term study found that our childhood is important for a long and happy life. And the most important thing about it is not the income of the parents or the social status, but: the love of the mother.
3. High emotional intelligence
Those who are emotionally intelligent have a strong ability to perceive and understand both their own feelings and those of others. According to the study, this competence in dealing with other people makes people happier. You should give joyfully, accept gratefully, and develop yourself in the process.
4. Dealing well with stress and setbacks
No life is a straight line; even the happiest people in the world experience stress and setbacks. The Harvard study defines coping well with this as an essential factor for a long, happy life. In addition to the ability to adapt, other important qualities for dealing well with stress etc. are patience, perseverance and also humor.
5. Generosity
When we give or give something away, messenger substances are released in the brain that make us happy. So the next factor for a long and happy life is: generosity. But it’s definitely not just about material things or money, but especially about passing on knowledge, for example as a consultant or mentor.
6. Avoid unhealthy habits
In the best case scenario, we don’t even start, otherwise we stop as quickly as possible: smoking and drinking alcohol are anything but conducive to a long, happy life. According to the researchers, the abuse of alcohol is often accompanied by a lot of stress, depression and social decline. Heavy cigarette consumption was observed ten times more often among those who died prematurely than among healthy, happy subjects.