Lessons From The Harvard Health Study on Happiness with Dr. Robert Waldinger
The Harvard Study of Adult Development is the longest scientific study of happiness and health that's ever been conducted. The results? Strong relationships make you feel better and live longer. Dr. Diana Hill sits down with psychiatrist and Zen priest Dr. Robert Waldinger to discuss his research findings and strategies you can use to make your friendships, partnerships, work relationships, and even casual ties more meaningful.
Listen and Learn:
The evolution of the Harvard Health Study
Dr. Waldinger’s answers to his own research questions
Why relationships are so good for our health
How to map out your social universe
How Zen informs Dr. Waldinger’s research
The science of seeking to understand vs. seeking accuracy
The power of generosity and attention in relationships
Why you should order your coffee in person
An exercise to reflect on your life
The question Dr. Waldinger really wants to answer
About Dr. Robert Waldinger
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).
Related Resources
Become a MORE Life in Process member to support the show. You’ll be designated as a “Founding Member” as we build a community to discuss ideas and our practice from the show. Founding Members receive exclusive bonus content from Diana.
Find out what kind of Striver you are and get your free Skillful Striving Toolkit
Want to learn more about ACT? Take Diana's on-demand course Foundations of ACT
A heartwarming Spanish commercial about taking time for relationships
Diana’s Events
Get on the waitlist for Diana's Reset and Restore Retreat in Costa Rica in 2023!
Register for Diana’s Body Image workshop at Yoga Soup!
Connect With Diana
Thank you for listening to Wise Effort with Dr. Diana Hill!
Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts.
Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.
Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.
Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.
Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana’s website.
Thank you to the team Craig and Ashley Hiatt. Thank you to Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.
Remember when you become psychologically flexible, you become free.