The Harvard Study of Adults Development is an extraordinary effort that has lasted for 75 years and persists. The study, one of the longest on human happiness, has lived through drop out of participants, funding issues, distractions, and death, to present formidable insights on determinants of happiness. After several years of tracking and thousands of interview sessions, the research rightfully concludes on misconceptions that people hold about happiness. Millennials, for example, still wrongfully believe in richness and fame as paths to health and happiness, thus ending up with sad and unhealthy adult life.
Religion and spirituality play a significant role in a person’s happiness and health. Most religious beliefs provide a source of reprieve and hope for believers in their hard times. Besides, religions form groups in which individuals relate to as a spiritual family, close friends, and community. The hope, source of reprieve, and close religious association among members constitute the definition of reliable relationships. The religious connections, therefore, eliminate loneliness, protect body and mind, thus leading to healthier and happier individuals.
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To sum up, sources of happiness are neither richness, fame, nor handwork efforts. Happiness is mostly dictated by the quality of relationships that individuals have. Notably, not all religious groupings, marriages, friends, and communities constitute positive social connections. Conflicts in any of these groups result in adverse effects such as unhealthy bodies and sad experiences. Establishing quality social relationships through quality time and engagements with individuals and groups that we value is key to a happy life. This can be achieved through marrying spouses that we love and trust, forgiving easily and being creative in creating quality time with partners, family, friends, and communities. Keeping grudges, taking part in conflicts, and maintaining a lonely approach in life is detrimental to happiness.
