Lessons from the longest study ever conducted | The Harvard Study of Adult Development
In a world that often seems obsessed with the pursuit of wealth and fame, it is no surprise that many millennials aspire to achieve financial success and recognition. However a thought-provoking study has revealed a paradox: while the desire for wealth and fame is widespread, true happiness and lasting health seem to be from a different source. The Harvard Study of Adult Development, spanning an astounding 85 years, offers a unique and profound insight into what actually keeps us happy and healthy in the long run.
Participants
The longest study ever started after world war I. It began in 1938 with 724 men. Some of these men were Harvard sophmores, others came of groups in poor neigbourhoods from Boston. The goal was to look at completely different people and what they make out of their lives and ultimately what makes life lifeworthy. In other words the goal is to figure out, what the driver for health and happiness really is. So the researchers took people from disadvantaged homes, people that are likely to get into trouble and potentially even criminal lifestlyes (Boston neigbourhood men), but also people from good homes who were not likely to get into trouble (The Harvard students).
In their further lives some became doctors, scientists, cashiers, bankers, etc., some became alcoholics, some became chronically ill.One of the participants even became president. It was the 35th president of the United States of America: John F. Kennedy.
The Study
The participants´ lives were studied for their whole life up until now. Nowadays the study has over 2000 participants, due to the researchers deciding to study the lives of the orginal paricipants´ offpring, as well as their partners. The study started with only men, because Harvard used to be an all male college at that time.
But how excactly were these lives “studied”?
Lots of different methods are used to study these people. Questionnaires and interwievs are just the tip of the iceberg. The researchers were also interviewing the people, that the participants were spending the most time with. The so called social circle, familiy members, coworkers, as well as their doctors, nurses, etc. were all interviewed.
In addition to that, blood samples were drawn, and medical records were taken into sight, in order to reach the goal of determining ones “quality of life”. Also cameras were installed in some homes, so that one could see and hear, how they talk to their wives/kids, how often, in what tone, etc.
Main lessons
Basically the study has conducted 3 main lessons for a happy and healthy live. All of these lessons can be summarized into the following sentence: GOOD RELATIONSHIPS KEEP US HAPPIER AND HEALTHIER!
Lesson 1: Invest in Relationships, not Wealth and Fame
The study’s most compelling lesson is the enduring importance of nurturing strong and meaningful relationships. The study consistently demonstrates that the quality of our relationships is a far more influential factor in determining our long-term happiness and overall well-being.
Lesson 2: Lonliness is toxic!
Loneliness has emerged as a potent adversary to our well-being. In an era where digital interactions often take precedence, the study’s findings emphasize the critical need for genuine human connections. The research highlights that loneliness can have not only negative effects on mental health but also tangible consequences for physical health and even lifespan. This serves as a powerful reminder that cultivating and maintaining relationships is a crucial aspect of maintaining our health and longevity.
One in five Americans reports to feeling lonely. Rembember, lonliness is a feeling that you can have even in a committed relationship or marriage. Even with a boatload of friends it is possible to feel lonely. On the other hand only having a handful of friends or no friends at all, must not lead to a feeling of lonliness, which brings us to the third lesson…
Lesson 3: Quality of relationsships > quantity of relationships
A good relationship is not always smooth, in fact the study reported about a couple who was always bickering and sometimes fighting, but ultimately trust and commitment to one another was always a given in that relationship. Even though the relationship did not seem healthy from an outside perspective, the couple had each others backs and all the bickering was mostly for “amusement”. It seemed to be (part of) their love language, which made the couple even more resilient and committed to their relationship.
People that were the most satisfied in their relationships at age 50, were the healthiest at age 80. This undermines the fact, that good relationships protect our bodies AND our brains. This lesson emphasizes that prioritizing and cherishing our relationships can have a direct and positive impact on our overall well-being.
Conclusion
To sum up, the study tells us, that leaning in to relationships is key to a good life and that even though maintaining or building good relationships is hard work, it is definetly worth it.
The pursuit of wealth and fame, though alluring, pales in comparison to the lasting benefits of investing in our relationships. Side note: These realtionships do not necessariliy have to be with other people. The relationship with ones body or oneself in general or even faith/a supreme being (e.g. god) can serve as a good biomarker for health and happiness in the long and short term, provided the relationship is good.
As the study’s ongoing research continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder that amidst the complexities of modern life, our connections with others remain a cornerstone of a fulfilling, satisfying, and healthy existence.
By the end of this article I hereby challange you to reduce today´s “screen time” and replace it with “people time”. Reach out to a person, you have not heard from in a while (okay, you might need some sort of screen for that) or go talk to a person, that is closeby. It could be your roommate, your partner or your parents, anyone really… Tell them about what is going through your mind. Tell them about this study or ask them to tell your their favorite story (from their youth). And keep in mind the postive impact you are making on your relationship with that person and the impact on your and the other persons health and happiness. It is truly a win-win-situation.
“There isn’t time, so brief is life, for bickerings, apologies, heartburnings, callings to account. There is only time for loving, and but an instant, so to speak, for that.” ~ Mark Twain.
Also check out the TED- Talk about the study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KkKuTCFvzI&ab_channel=TED
