My clients often ask me what are the keys to happiness and emotional well-being. My answer: ‘healthy relationships and meaningful connections.’ Often times the response is, ‘But what else?’ or ‘What really will help me to feel better?’
The most recent research from the Harvard Adult Development Study, a longitudinal study led by Dr. Robert Waldinger that followed two groups of men throughout the lifespan, continues to show how our happiness and physical well-being are significantly impacted by our relationships (or lack thereof).
Key take aways:
- feeling socially connected and satisfied is correlated with happiness and physical health
- it’s the depth, not the breadth of our relationships that matters – quality of relationships is critical in reaping the health benefits
- healthy and nourishing relationships impact our brain functioning, specifically our memory