The Power of Community = Happier, Longer Lives
The Power of Community and Relationships
What really makes us happy in life? Contrary to what you might think, it's not career achievement, money, exercise, or a healthy diet. Through 85 years of study the bottom line is this: Positive relationships keep us happier, healthier, and help us live longer. Period.
The 85-year Harvard Study
Positive relationships keep us happier, healthier, and help us live longer - but they don't just happen. These relationships must be cultivated and nurtured.
This isn't just a hunch or observation - this is the outcome of an 85-year study.
In 1938, Harvard researchers embarked on a decades-long study to find out what makes us happy and fulfilled in life. They gathered health records from 724 participants from different walks of life and differing income levels and asked detailed questions about their lives at two-year intervals.
The number one key to a happy life is "Social fitness". Similar to physical fitness, our social life is a living system and it needs exercise and to be tended to in order to be fit.
There are many articles on the Harvard study and I find this one to be succinct and helpful in explaining more about social fitness. It also includes a handy table to help assess your relationships: An 85-year Harvard Study found the No. 1 thing that makes us happy in life: It helps us 'live longer'.
A more in-depth article from the Harvard Gazette: Good genes are nice, but joy is better, which states:
"The surprising finding is that our relationships and how happy we are in our relationships has a powerful influence on our health....Taking care of your body is important, but tending to your relationships is a form of self-care too. That, I think, is the revelation.
Close relationships, more than money or fame, are what keep people happy throughout their lives, the study revealed. Those ties protect people from life's discontents, help to delay mental and physical decline, and are better predictors of long and happy lives than social class, IQ, or even genes. That finding proved true across the board among both the Harvard men and the inner-city participants."
The conclusion: Get clear on the relationships that are most energizing and fulfilling to you and intentionally carve out time for those people.
Build community and give it the time and attention it deserves. As if your life depends on it. Because it actually does!
We are all stuck in our habits, many of which are solitary in nature such as watching TV and scrolling social media/email. It takes intentional effort to create time to be in community.
These days texts tend to outweigh phone calls. But what if you committed to 10 minutes, two times a week to call a friend, parent, sibling, child, or colleague? How about starting with just once a week?
Or combining some of your tasks - maybe while driving or waiting in line. One of my favorites are my "walk and talks", meetings I set up specifically to be phone-only so I can get my fitness in while connecting with others.
Even sending a quick daily video message creates connection. I've been doing this for over two years with a friend and it takes no more than 1 minute each morning. Bonus: we use Snapchat with their funny filters to start our day off with humor :)
Joining a class/group is another great way to build connection and community. It takes time to build the relationships, but the power of a group is unmatched. The different perspectives, feelings of belonging, and purpose that can be derived from meaningful groups/communities can literally change your life.
I've known all of this for years, but it feels more relevant now than ever. Which is why I chose the word TOGETHER for my word this year. And it is also why I am offering my FREE START HERE, SUCCEED ALL YEAR workshop on Jan 17th to help you clarify your goals and focus in community. REGISTER HERE
(You deserve one hour to start your year off right - sign up now!)
You deserve to be happy and if you are intentional about it, you can increase your happiness and your life span. The study proves it.
Whatever you choose to do - recognize that it is YOUR choice. Your relationships matter to your happiness, your health, and your fulfillment. Choose wisely :)
Cheers to meaningful connection,
Sharon
Kick off 2025 with Clarity, Energy, and Community!
Start the new year with sustainable habits that support your success and allow you to be who you want to be!
Join my free Start Here, Succeed All Year virtual session!
The ultimate workshop to set your goals, focus your energy, and connect with a powerful community!
- Jan 17th, 12-1pm ET
- Via Teams
Registration Link Here
Can't make it? You can schedule a free 30-minute strategy session to more specifically discuss where you are and where you want to be: Free Strategy Session Scheduler
Whether we decide to work together or not, I can help with your next best step. If you know you want support, there are several ways to invest in yourself in 2025:
Life Vision Intensive - A 2-hour discovery session to define what a successful and fulfilling life means for YOU. Includes your Life Vision document, a core values exercise, and a 1-hour finalization call. Investment = $350
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Life is too short to spend it feeling stressed, overwhelmed and unsatisfied. I've helped so many women improve their happiness, well-being, and success because they chose to schedule a call and take one step towards the life of their dreams. I can help you too.
