The Secret to a Happy Life: Insights from the Harvard Study
Read Time: 2 mins
It’s challenging to identify what truly contributes to a happy life, especially in the context of building connections at work and creating a thriving workplace culture. To find out, let’s unearth some valuable insights derived from an authoritative source – the longest scientific study on happiness ever conducted, Harvard’s Grant Study.
Solving the Puzzle of Happiness
In this fascinating episode of The Psychology Podcast, Dr. Robert Waldinger, Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, discusses the Grant Study with Scott Barry Kaufman. Interestingly, Dr Waldinger is a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and Zen priest. Dr Waldinger currently runs the study, and his unique perspective and deep scientific understanding unravel the secret to a happy life.
The Longest Happiness Study
The Grant Study, initiated in 1938, has been examining the lives of 268 Harvard College sophomores, some of whom turned out to be high-profile participants, like US President John F Kennedy. In parallel, The Gueck Study also analysed the lives of disadvantaged and troubled youth in Boston’s inner city – creating a comparative analysis from hugely diverse backgrounds.
A Legendary Discovery
The key to happiness is multifaceted, but one recurring theme has emerged – the power of connection. According to Dr. Waldinger, the benefits of connectedness and the hazards of loneliness are so profound that these insights should reach everyone. Think of it as providing nourishment to the roots of happiness in the garden of life.
The Power of Connection
Whether you are from Harvard or a less privileged background, connection is vital for promoting happiness. Moreover, the study suggests that connection is also a primary driver for better health. Indeed, our relationships affect every aspect of our lives, from mental health to work satisfaction.
This research teaches us the incredible value of fostering a connected workplace. So, it is not just about the individual connections we build but also the overall relational climate we cultivate that leads to a happier, more satisfied, and subsequently more successful business environment.
Show Me The Money
The pursuit of happiness goes far beyond the accumulation of wealth. Clearly, material wealth can bring security and a sense of achievement, but it isn’t the primary determinant of happiness. Instead, it’s about how fulfilled we feel in our relationships, how valued we feel in our work and teams, and how much we grow and learn from our experiences.
Building Defence Mechanisms
The Grant Study shows that how we handle adversity is crucial to our happiness. Therefore, the right coping strategies or defence mechanisms are our allies during stressful times, contributing to our overall satisfaction in our personal and business lives.
What Does This Mean for Businesses?
So, how do these findings translate to businesses exploring high-performance coaching and training? First and foremost, these findings demonstrate the enormous benefits of building relationships and fostering a sense of connectedness within the workplace. In fact, these imperatives should be considered part of the very fabric of company culture.
This article is based on a recent The Psychology Podcast episode The Secret to a Happy Life with Robert Waldinger.
If you want to explore how team building and fostering strong workplace connections can help you thrive in your career or grow a successful team, contact us at Skill and Will.
