Doctor behind 80-year happiness study was ‘shocked' by the biggest predictor of a long, healthy life
What if the secret to longevity wasn't in the mind or the gut — but in the heart?
Speaking at the inaugural New York Times Well Festival on Wednesday, psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Robert Waldinger announced he and his team were 'shocked' by 'the biggest predictor of who was going to live long and stay healthy.'
3 Dr. Robert Waldinger said researchers were 'shocked' by 'the biggest predictor of who was going to live long and stay healthy.'
Jose Alvarado Jr for The New York Times
Advertisement
Waldinger, the director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development — the longest-running scientific study of adult life — revealed it was 'how connected you were to other people and particularly the warmth of your connection to other people.'
Apparently, the researchers were floored by these findings.
'How could our relationships actually get into our bodies and actually change our physiology?' Waldinger mused.
Advertisement
'The best hypothesis is that it has to do with stress, that in fact relationships — when they're good — are stress relievers.'
After all, how we feel does manifest itself physically — you can feel your pulse begin to race and your breathing quicken when something upsetting or anxiety-inducing happens, and the opposite is true when you calm down, he explained.
Having someone to vent to, as it turns out, plays a pretty big role in that.
Advertisement
'People who don't have connections with other people, those people don't have the same stress regulation mechanisms in their lives that people with good relationships have,' Waldinger said.
The secret sauce is recognizing that it's not enough to have relationships — you need to cultivate them as you would a garden.
3 'The best hypothesis is that it has to do with stress, that in fact relationships — when they're good — are stress relievers,' Waldinger said.
Syda Productions – stock.adobe.com
Most of us don't expect to be physically fit without putting some work into it — why would relationships be any different?
Advertisement
'The people who were best at relationships were the people who were actively involved in staying in touch with people, people who really nurtured their relationships,' he said. 'Most of us take our relationships for granted.'
He went so far as to say people who are intentional about keeping in touch and fostering relationships had a 'superpower' that 'went under the radar.'
The best part is you don't need to plan an elaborate trip or book a bonding activity to get the benefits. Little things, like actually making eye contact with the barista making your coffee or — heaven forbid — the TSA agent checking your passport, give us 'little hits of well-being,' according to Waldinger.
3 'Most of us take our relationships for granted,' Waldinger said.
Johnstocker – stock.adobe.com
It's the latest appeal from an increasing number of experts reminding people that social connection is a fundamental part of being human — and an essential aspect of good health.
A recent study even identified socializing as one of the six factors you can control that lower the risk of dementia, stroke and depression — adding to existing research indicating it's a boon for longevity.
It seems that's easy to forget in today's increasingly virtual world, as psychotherapist Kathryn Smerling previously told The Post she prescribes 'socialization very often' to her clients.
Advertisement
Elsewhere in the NYT talk, Waldinger noted that our culture may not always steer us in the right direction when it comes to happiness.
'These badges of achievement that we all set out for ourselves — money, awards, followers on social media — those badges of achievement are quantifiable, so they look like they're gonna make us happy, but they don't,' he said.
'The culture can sell us this idea that if we just do all the right things, we'll be happy all the time,' he added. 'That is not true. Nobody is happy all the time.'
That said, next time you want to feel like a superhero — try calling your mom.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Costco recall: Coca-Cola product potentially contaminated with bacteria. What to know
Coca-Cola is recalling a mineral water it distributed to Costco and elsewhere, the warehouse club recently announced. A limited quantity of Topo Chico Mineral Water is being voluntarily recalled by Coca-Cola over the possibility that it is contaminated by the bacteria pseudomonas, the beverage giant wrote in a letter to Costco members. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pseudomonas is a bacteria commonly found in soil and water. The most common type that can infect humans is pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia), urinary tract or other parts of the body after surgery. TSA refutes rumor, reveals truth: No, your Costco card isn't valid ID at the airport The health risks of drinking mineral water with pseudomonas aeruginosa are considered very low in healthy individuals, according to the letter. There is the potential for minor health consequences if consumed by individuals with weakened immune systems. The recalled mineral water was sold as an 18-pack of 16.9 oz. (500 ml) glass bottles with the lot code #13A2541. Lot codes can be found on the case and on the neck of the bottle. The products were sold between May 20 and 29, 2025, at select Costco warehouses in Texas and Louisiana. If you purchased one, return it to your local store for a full refund. For more information, contact Coca-Cola at 1-800-GET-COKE (1-800-438-2653). 100 injuries reported: 2 million appliances sold at Costco, other stores recalled You can't use a Costco membership card to get through TSA, but you can use one to get into any of the hundreds of Costco warehouses. Costco operates 609 locations in the United States and Puerto Rico. That includes 13 in Ohio — four in the Cleveland-Akron area, one in Canton, two in Toledo, three in Greater Columbus, one in Dayton and two in Cincinnati. In Kentucky, Costco has five stores, including one in Florence, near Cincinnati. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Costco recall: Coca-Cola product may be contaminated. See which one
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Canadian wildfire smoke is still affecting Wisconsin. How to keep kids and pets safe with poor air quality
Like much of the Midwest, Wisconsin's air quality is still seeing effects from Canadian wildfire smoke, with Milwaukee experiencing some of the worst air quality in the nation. In fact, Milwaukee had the worst air quality in the U.S. on June 4 with an air quality index of 153, The New York Times reported. While Chicago has since topped the Times' list, Milwaukee remains in second with an AQI of 136. This AQI is considered "unhealthy for sensitive groups," according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's standards. An air quality advisory from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources remains in effect until noon on June 5. The National Weather Service also said in a post on X that healthy residents should consider spending limited time outdoors. While wildfire smoke can negatively impact anyone, children and pets are some of the more vulnerable groups. As the poor air quality continues throughout the state, here's what experts recommend you should do to keep them safe: Wildfire smoke is a "complex mixture" of pollutants shown to cause a range of health effects, according to the EPA. These effects can be "relatively minor," like eye irritation, to more serious, including premature death, the agency says. Children are "especially vulnerable," since their lungs are still developing, the EPA says. Aside from physical health effects, the agency notes children may also experience stress and mental health problems from wildfires. More: Milwaukee has the worst air quality in the US right now, according to The New York Times Like humans, animals can be negatively impacted by poor air quality, says. Those with heart or lung disease and older pets are "especially at risk" and should be closely monitored when air quality is poor. Children aged 2 and older can wear masks and respirators, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, masks approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health aren't made to fit young children, the CDC says. So, you should choose a mask or respirator that fits your child comfortably. The agency also notes certain face coverings, like surgical masks or breathing through a wet cloth, will not protect kids. According to the CDC, there are several steps you should take prior to the risk of wildfire smoke inhalation, including: Stock up on medication if evacuation may be necessary. Buy groceries you won't have to cook. Talk to your child's healthcare provider, especially if they have a chronic health condition. Once wildfire smoke hits, here's how the CDC says you can keep protecting your kids: Check air quality reports. Check school closings. Limit time outdoors. Keep windows and doors closed. Use an HVAC system with air filter. Use a portable air filter, if available. Consider evacuating if your child is experiencing breathing problems or other symptoms from smoke inhalation that do not improve. Seek medical attention immediately if they are having trouble breathing, is "very sleepy" or will not eat and drink. You should have "high efficiency filters" before fire season starts and consider creating a "clean room" with a portable air cleaner, recommends. Here are some tips from for keeping your pets safe once wildfire smoke begins: Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Bring outdoor pets into rooms with good ventiliation. Keep indoor air clean by avoiding certain activities, like vacuuming or burning candles. Limit time outdoors and physical activity. Include pets in any evacuation planning, if necessary. If your animal is showing any of the following symptoms, recommends contacting your veterinarian: Coughing Gagging Red or watery eyes Nasal discharge,inflammation of throat or mouth Reluctant to eat hard foods Trouble breathing, includes open-mouth breathing and if they're making more noise when breathing Fast breathing Fatigue, weakness or disorientation Reduced appetite Reduced thirst The DNR has interactive air quality maps, which show the AQI and any active alerts or advisories by county. You can view them on the department's website. You can also sign up for air quality advisory notices through the DNR's website at More: Canadian wildfire smoke could affect Wisconsin all summer. Here's how to track air quality This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Canadian wildfire smoke: Keep kids, pets safe when air quality is poor
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
A year after tragedy, mommy blogger breaks her silence. See the cryptic post
She's back. Almost a year after moving to South Florida after immense family tragedy, Candice Miller re-emerged on Instagram. Last July, the socialite's husband, real estate tycoon Brandon Miller, died after being found unconscious in the garage of the family's Hamptons mansion. The 43-year-old's death was later ruled a suicide, due to overwhelming debt, according to The New York Times. The so called mommy blogger, whose lifestyle page Mama & Tata boasted roughly 100,000 followers at the time, quickly deleted the account. Miller has kept a low profile since selling their home for $12.8 million, auctioning off its items and rebuilding her life down south with her two daughters. According to they live in an apartment in Miami Beach owned by a pal, Alexander von Furstenberg, designer Diane von Furstenberg's son. But now the 42-year-old influencer seems ready to embrace a new chapter. Monday's post on her public personal page shows a picture of a sunrise over the ocean in an unknown location. ''In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer,'' said the caption, quoting a 1950 essay 'Return to Tipasa.' by French philosopher Albert Camus. 'And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there's something stronger — something better, pushing right back.' It's unclear if Miller will resume Mama & Tata, or start a completely different project. The original website, with content about lavish vacations, luxury beauty treatments and five-star meals, says it's expired.
