Relationships play an essential role in our lives, influencing our happiness and overall well-being.
Since 1938, the Harvard Study of Adult Development has been tracking the same people, providing compelling insights into the connection between warm social relationships and people’s happiness and health.
Here’s what this groundbreaking study has found so far.
Relationships and our overall wellbeing
Harvard researchers were able to demonstrate that people who have good connections to others experience more positive emotions, and their physical health is better than their peers. On average, they are less likely to suffer from depression, diabetes, heart disease, and are more likely to recover faster from illnesses.
“The surprising finding is that our relationships and how happy we are in our relationships has a powerful influence on our health,” explained psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, director of the study. “Taking care of your body is important, but tending to your relationships is a form of self-care too. That, I think, is the revelation.”
Researchers also found that good relationships protect our brains, leading to better memory functions and less age-related mental deterioration.
Relationships are stress regulators
In a Ted Talk of 2022, Dr Waldinger highlighted that good relationships can also be great stress regulators, as they tend to quiet our ‘fight or flight’ response – especially when we have someone to talk to.
On the other hand, people who don’t have good connections may always feel in a state of ‘fight or flight’, which can lead to chronic levels of inflammation and circulating stress hormones.
The importance of finding your tribe
According to Dr Waldinger, prioritising social interaction is a key way to build and maintain relationships. Whether that’s joining a social support group, a club or doing volunteer work, the key thing is to find your own tribe and develop a sense of belonging.
And it’s not a matter of quantity: even having at least one person who has your back, according to researchers, is essential for maintaining happiness and health. That could be a friend, a relative, a colleague – or even a casual contact.
Dr Waldinger says that studying other people’s relationships helped him refocus on his own: “It’s easy to get isolated, to get caught up in work and not remembering, ‘Oh, I haven’t seen these friends in a long time’. So I try to pay more attention to my relationships than I used to.”
Disclaimer: Please note that the content provided in this article is intended as an overview and as general information only. While care is taken to ensure accuracy and reliability, the information provided is subject to continuous change and may not reflect current developments or address your situation. Before making any decisions based on the information provided in this article, please use your discretion and seek independent guidance.