Professor Pozzulo’s Pick (July, 2024)

 Professor Pozzulo’s Pick (July, 2024)

The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger, MD and Marc Shultz, Ph.D. (2023; published by Simon & Schuster)

My take:

Would you sign up for a study that would last your entire life? In, The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger, MD and Marc Schultz, Ph.D. (2023; published by Simon & Schuster), people did just that. Two generations are followed for over 80 years (with the study still going), known as the Harvard Study of Adult Development. 

 

There were several great takeaways from this book. For starters, about 40% of one’s happiness is a product of one’s own actions and choices. So, if you’re wanting to be happier, you have some control over it. Moreover, regardless of the stage in life you are at, change is possible for improved happiness and well-being.

 

Not only do the authors allow you to examine the lives lived of some of their participants, they also provide practical exercises to help you improve the quantity and quality of your relationships. And the reason why this is so important is that (spoiler) “good relationships keep us happier, healthier, and help us live longer”. Self-reflection and making changes seem to be the cornerstone for improved happiness. As the authors note, “the world we live in is the world we create”.

 

I found the book uplifting. As I was reading, The Good Life, I was taking notes feverously, in anticipation for writing my review. The challenge came when there was just so much good stuff to make notes on. Every line was a great line. So, I’ll sum up my review by saying, “read The Good Life for a greater understanding of emotional well-being and the changes you might want to make to increase your happiness and improve your well-being”. 

 

Let me know what you think.