It seems like a lot of people are on a search to find happiness, but one study may have the answer. Researchers at Harvard University started the Study of Adult Development 85 years ago to figure out which lifestyle choices tend to make people happy throughout their lives.
One part of the study, the Grant Study, followed Harvard grads from the classes of 1939 to 1944 for 80 plus years. Every two years, participants answer questions about their mental health, quality of marriage and other aspects of their lives, they also submit health information every five years and are interviewed every five to 10 years to get more in-depth information.
Participants were split into two groups later in their lives - “Happy-Well” and “Sad-Sick.” The research discovered there are seven habits that “result in individuals being happy and well in older age rather than ending up sad and sick.”
The practices that lead to happiness and good health:
- Not smoking
- Avoiding alcohol abuse
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Exercising daily
- Adopting an adaptive coping style - which means “that you have good conflict-resolution practices,” according to Harvard
- Fostering a growth mindset - “Invest in education or the practices of lifelong learning,” the research explains
- Maintaining stable, long-term friendships and loving relationships
Source: CNBC
Scott's Thoughts:
- Fortunately, these all seem pretty attainable, unless you want to end up a “sad-sick” old person!
- I love to learn new things!
- I need to be better about exercise.I need to be better about the exc