Lessons From The World’s Longest Study on Happiness with Dr. Robert Waldinger

January 9, 2023

Robert Waldinger is a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development at Massachusetts General Hospital, and cofounder of the Lifespan Research Foundation. Dr. Waldinger received his AB from Harvard College and his MD from Harvard Medical School. He is a practicing psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, and he directs a psychotherapy teaching program for Harvard psychiatry residents. He is also a Zen master (Roshi) and teaches meditation in New England and around the world. Robert is the co-author of the book The Good Life: Lessons From the World’s Longest Scientific Study on Happiness (Simon and Schuster; January 10, 2023).

This content contains affiliate links. If you use these links to purchase something, we may earn a commission. Thanks.

What are the essential ingredients for achieving a happy and healthy life?

It’s common to get caught up in the daily hustle and bustle. But to live a Limitless life, it’s important to invest your time and resources into making sure that you aren’t simply surviving—but thriving.

I’m very excited to have Dr. Robert Waldinger on our show today to talk more about this very important topic. Dr. Waldinger is a psychiatrist, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and directs the longest study on adult life ever conducted. He’s also co-author of the brand-new book, The Good Life: Lesson From the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness.

There’s a misconception that fame, money, or success will lead to happiness. But what keeps you happy and healthy as you proceed through your life? Listen in, as Dr. Waldinger reveals the surprising lessons he’s learned studying happiness over the course of his career.

CONNECT WITH Dr. Robert Waldinger

***If you’re inspired, I want to invite you to join me in my brand NEW 10-day course, specifically designed to boost your productivity. I know it sounds too good to be true, but I give you step-by-step guides using the accelerated learning model to help you get more done and achieve your goals. Visit http://kwikbrain.com/productivity to join me today.***

"If you take active, small steps every day or every week to take care of your relationships, it will have a big payoff."

Dr. Robert Waldinger

Subscribe To My Podcast:

Fame and happiness aren’t good predictors of happiness. Here’s what does. [2:21]
Conversely, these things predict worse health and worse brain health—including early cognitive decline and dementia. [3:34]
Listen as Dr. Waldinger shares some highlights from his adult longevity study. [4:47]
Where do you start building this important aspect in your life? Dr. Waldinger gives some suggestions. [6:31]
As individuals in their study looked back on their lives, this is what they said the regretted the most and were most proud of. [9:33]
It’s hard to not compare your insides to someone else’s outsides. Here’s what that means and why it’s important to be aware of it. [11:06]
A study found that being isolated and lonely are as devastating on your health as smoking and obesity. [13:39]
You can do this one practical thing right now to improve your happiness. [15:10]
Get your copy of The Good Life, here.
Take a screenshot, tag me (@jimkwik), and tell us how you plan on connecting with someone in your life.
Share this episode and leave a review.