I'm all for learning new stuff, but this recent study from Harvard was fascinating.
Based on a Harvard study carried out over the last 80 years. The key to happiness is good relationships
👥Relationships can be friends, family, partners or even striking up a regular conversation with the same barista at your local coffee shop.
"Investing in our social fitness is possible each day, each week of our lives. Even small investments today in our relationships with others can create long-term ripples of well-being"
-Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz’s new book, The Good Life: Lessons From the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness
📞Start connecting properly with people. Call them on the phone, don't text. Arrange to meet up with friends for a coffee. Join a club, whether that's the gym, golfing or learning a new skill like cooking or dancing.
📖Grow through knowledge and learn how to develop a growth mindset. Choosing the people we want to surround ourselves with but also attracting the right people who share our values, allows for greater conversation and personal growth.
🏋♀️🏃♂️Physical activity releases endorphine, dopamine, adrenaline and endocannabinoid (the happy hormones) which in turn lowers our stress levels, relieving feelings of anxiety or depression. Myokine is also released when we contract our muscles which can change the function and structure of your brain to be more resilient to stress and help in the recovery of anxiety and depression.
🧘♀️🧘♂️Meditation is probably one of the most powerful things you can do to re-wire your brain. Regular meditation boosts grey matter allowing you to actually grow your happiness levels. It reduces stress and anxiety by balancing the nervous system and restoring hormonal levels.
These are just some of the things that can really improve our happiness levels! Of course, improved sleep, mindfulness and good nutrition all play a part too!
Check out: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette
I hope you found this as interesting as I did.
Maddy x