Dr. Robert Waldinger is a psychiatrist and professor who leads the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the longest scientific study on happiness. He is the author of The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness, in which he explores the impact of relationships on health and well-being.

What you'll learn from this episode:

  • What the results of the longest study of adult development show us about living a good life: people who thrive, live longer, and stay free from disabilities are the people who take care of their physical health, and have the warmest and greatest number of connections.

  • The epidemic of loneliness—currently, one in four adults report feeling lonely, and experiencing loneliness is a health risk factor that rivals smoking and obesity.

  • How to engage with social media in ways that increase your connection to others, energize you, and minimize comparison and FOMO. 

  • All about relationship fitness—why you need to be intentional with your relationships, how to carve out time to spend with people who bring you joy, the importance of finding a work BFF, and why you should chat with casual acquaintances for a hit of dopamine.  

  • Why investing in experiences will yield more happiness than buying material things, and why you should plan your experiences in advance to get the added boost of anticipation. 

  • And much more!

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Resources from this episode:

The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger | Amazon

Robert Waldinger | Website

Robert Waldinger | Twitter

Robert Waldinger: What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness | TED Talk

Over Nearly 80 Years, Harvard Study Has Been Showing How to Live a Healthy and Happy Life | The Harvard Gazette

Loneliness Has Same Risk as Smoking for Heart Disease | Harvard Health

Loneliness Rivals Obesity, Smoking as Health Risk | WebMD

Prolonged Social Isolation and Loneliness are Equivalent to Smoking 15 Cigarettes A Day | Extension UNH

Bowling Alone: Revised and Updated: The Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert D. Putnam | Amazon

U.K. Appoints a Minister for Loneliness | The New York Times

Why Swedes Are So Lonely | Vice

The Increasing Importance of a Best Friend at Work | Gallup

Want More in-the-Moment Happiness? Buy Experiences, Not Stuff | Psychology Today

The Relationship between Education and Dementia: An Updated Systematic Review | PMC

Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story | Netflix

Exercise Is an All-Natural Treatment to Fight Depression | Harvard Health

Dr. Richard J. Davidson | Center for Healthy Minds

Like the Intro/Outro Music? Check out Aaron Tap's Website!

The Genius Life: Heal Your Mind, Strengthen Your Body, and Become Extraordinary by Max Lugavere

Genius Foods: Become Smarter, Happier, and More Productive While Protecting Your Brain for Life by Max Lugavere and Paul Grewal M.D.

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