What’s the secret to a happy life? An 80-year Harvard study says love wins

What makes life truly meaningful? It turns out that it’s not wealth, success or even physical fitness that gives us a fulfilling life – it’s the quality of our relationships. Emotional support, social bonds and a sense of belonging impact not just our mood, but our brain function, physical health, and even how long we live, Redland Bayside News reports.

The Harvard Study of Adult Development has followed participants for more than 80 years, and its findings are clear: strong, positive social connections are the single most powerful predictor of happiness and health as we age.

Led by Dr Robert Waldinger, a psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School, and Dr Marc Schulz, a psychology professor at Bryn Mawr College, the research has tracked the lives of hundreds of individuals – first Harvard undergraduates and boys from disadvantaged Boston neighbourhoods, later expanding to include their families across generations.

Their bestselling book The Good Life distills decades of data – from medical records to heartfelt interviews – into one resounding message: “Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period,” Dr Waldinger said.

The study found that people with a range of close relationships—whether with romantic partners, family, friends, or even coworkers—were happier and healthier over time. But it wasn’t the types nor the number of relationships a person had that mattered most. It was the quality of those connections, Dr. Waldinger says.

“We found that human beings need exercise, nutrition, and a sense of purpose—but most of all, we need each other,” he says. “Taking care of your body is important, but tending to your relationships is a form of self-care too. That’s the revelation.”

Dr. Waldinger states that the people who were the most satisfied in their relationships at age 50 were the healthiest at age 80.”