For more than 75 years, The Harvard Grant Study has been studying human development. It is the longest study of its kind and there are many key findings, but what may be the most important piece of learning is that happiness is not the result of having money, fame or any of the things that we typically associate with “the good life”. Instead, the study revealed that the participants who maintained close, intimate relationships were the happiest and healthiest.
Developing and nurturing relationships can take some effort in today’s busy, screen-addicted society, but based on the findings of this comprehensive study, it’s obvious that it is well worth it. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Take a coffee break or a walk with a co-worker
- Stop to chat with a neighbor
- Call a family member or a friend you haven’t talked to in a while
- Join a Meet-Up group or take a class to meet people with similar interests
- Volunteer for an organization you care about and connect with like-minded people
- Join a gym
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