What is the one thing that will make you the happiest? A seemingly simple question, but one that is actually the hardest to answer.
Contrary to what others think, it’s not money, fame, or career that can keep someone happy and satisfied in life–it’s actually our social relationships that help us live healthier and longer. Based on an 85-year-old study conducted by Harvard, being socially fit is our main source of joy.
In 1938, the researchers compiled health records from 724 participants from different parts of the globe and interviewed them about their lives at two-year intervals. The findings of the research showed that the best way to stay happy is to create strong connections with other people.Building strong relationships improves our holistic health and keeps our lives balanced.
Relationships affect us not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. When we build positive and strong relationships with other people, it also boosts our mood, improves our feelings of comfort and security, and makes us physically fit.
According to a health website, good social connections lower the risks of having auto-immune diseases and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
Having a harmonious relationship with our families, friends, and other social connections can do wonders for our well-being. Further, older people who have strong social practices are more likely to have a better quality of life.
As the old saying goes, ‘No man is an island’. Humans are designed to socialize with one another, so it is important to exercise our social rights to improve our lives. Mark Schulz and Robert Waldinger, both CNBC contributors, gave a list of support keystones:
- Learning and Growth
- Safety and Security
- Emotional closeness and confiding
- Identify affirmation and shared experience
- Romantic Intimacy
- Help (both informational and practical)
- Fun and relaxation
Don’t be afraid to show your love and care to the people that matter in your life, because at the end of the day, having good relationships is more important than anything else in this world.
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