Book review: The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness

The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness is an excellent book that explores the key factors that contribute to happiness and fulfilling life. The five stars go more towards the study lengths and methodology than to the writing style.

Waldinger’s writing is engaging and accessible, and he uses personal anecdotes and stories from the study participants to illustrate his points effectively. It is however lengthy at times.

Robert Waldinger is a psychiatry professor at Harvard Medical School, and it draws on data from the longest-running study of adult development, which began in 1938 and has followed the lives of over 700 men.

It is a fascinating and insightful account of what really really matters in life, and it challenges many of the assumptions we have about happiness and success.
One of the key takeaways from the book is that our relationships with others are crucial to our happiness and well-being. The study found that people who had close, supportive relationships with family and friends were more likely to be happy and healthy than those who were socially isolated. Another important lesson from the book is that material wealth and professional success are not the key drivers of happiness and that meaningful work and a sense of purpose are more important.

Here are my seven key insights from the book:

1. Good relationships are key to happiness: The study found that people who had close, supportive relationships with family and friends were happier and healthier than those who were socially isolated.
2. Quality, not quantity, matters in relationships: The study found that it’s the quality of our relationships, not the number of friends we have, that contributes to our well-being.
3. The importance of social connections: People who are socially connected to family, friends, and community are not only happier, but also healthier and live longer.
4. Happiness is not just about pleasure: Meaningful work, a sense of purpose, and personal growth are all important aspects of a fulfilling life.
5. Material wealth and professional success are not the keys to happiness: The study found that people who prioritize wealth and status over meaningful relationships and personal growth tend to be less happy and more prone to mental health problems.
6. Adversity can be an opportunity for growth: People who have experienced hardship and overcome it tend to have a greater sense of purpose and resilience.
7. Aging can be a time of growth and fulfillment: Contrary to popular belief, the study found that people tend to become happier and more fulfilled as they age and that older people often have a greater sense of meaning and purpose in life.

Overall, The Good Life provides valuable insights into what really matters when it comes to happiness and well-being. It challenges many of the assumptions we have about success and encourages readers to prioritize meaningful relationships and personal growth over material wealth and professional status.

For other books read, and my Goodreads library : The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger

My rating: 5 of 5 stars ; View all my reviews