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LIFE LESsONS
The Science of Happiness: What Really Makes Us Happy?
Though we often hear people say, “Money can’t buy happiness,” the question of what brings us relational or spiritual joy can easily be asked in today’s world. Right now we live in complex times, so we can’t leave behind the political uncertainty, the economic pressures, and the technological advancements that are going so quickly forward. So sometimes it feels like happiness is out of reach. But science has provided a better understanding of what helps make people happy, offering hope and real actionable insight to help boost our happiness.
The Foundation of Happiness: Relationships and Social Connections
One thing stands out above all across numerous studies, and that’s close, meaningful relationships are among the most important factors contributing to living a happy life. Rationships are among the most important factors that contribute to a happy life. In Harvard’s 80 year study of adult development, the quality of our relationships turned out to be a stronger predictor of happiness, than wealth, fame, or even professional success. So this doesn’t mean we have to have hundreds of friends, necessarily, but some meaningful connections with little more than love, support, and shared meaning.
