What’s important in life?
April 16, 2020
Larson Lewis
THE MIRROR
When a young teenager is asked what they want in life they’ll give a variety of answers, many along the lines of being rich or famous. Ask older people and there are more realistic answers like family and a good relationship.
Why does the answer change?
People start to see what really matters in life and look at what they really want.
Tracking a person’s life from the early years all the way to the end can expose what makes people happy and what is important in their life.
A study, The Harvard Study of Adult Development, tracked 724 men over 75 years. As time went on many dropped out of the experiment and many died, but today there are still 60 men who have been a part of this for 75 years. When they started this they looked at two groups of people one of which were Harvard graduates who many of which went to fight in the war. The second group was boys from the worst parts of Boston, two groups who experienced life in two different ways.
Robert Waldinger, the fourth director of the study, shared their research in a TED Talk. Waldinger is amazed at what they learned from personal, face-to-face interviews. Subjects would talk about what makes them happy and would record conversations they had with their wives.
Waldinger said, “The people with better relationships at 50 live better lives at age 80.”
The results show that the people who surround us have a greater impact than previously thought and that life is about more than money and fame. Good relationships can lead to healthier lives.
Cam • Dec 11, 2020 at 11:12 AM
Being happy is very important to me and i think that everyone should think that it is important to happy and especially if it can add years to your life.
Erich Vanblargan • May 14, 2020 at 12:30 PM
It is facinating to think that a study lasting 75 years was actually conducted and even concluded especially with such a small sample pool in the end. Its also amazing that it took four directors before the study was finished.
Larson Lewis • Apr 24, 2020 at 1:20 PM
It’s crazy to think that a study like this actually worked and for such a long time and it shows that the close relationships you have will benefit you later in life.
Wyatt Cornell • Apr 23, 2020 at 3:10 PM
To me, it makes a lot of sense that people with good relationships end up living better lives. having someone to rely on and be able to share your feelings with makes you more relaxed.
McKenna Coyle • Apr 23, 2020 at 2:46 PM
The article did a good job of explaining the importance of maintaining good relationships throughout your lives.
Noah Viegut • Apr 22, 2020 at 3:02 PM
Being happy is an important part of life but I never thought that it could add years to your life.
Kenny Schultz • Apr 21, 2020 at 11:30 AM
Great job Larson. I kept head in nose deep reading this article and I really thought it was interesting how many men they got to participate in this study. It is even more amazing that 60 men have been a part of this for 75 years.
Kaitlyn Flanagan • Apr 16, 2020 at 2:56 PM
Having many friends is cool and all but in the end they aren’t all gonna be able to have a fun time with you making memories. Having a few close friends that you can rely on are so much better. So I totally agree with “The people with better relationships at 50 live better lives at age 80.” being said