Dr. Robert Waldinger on the Science of Happiness and What Makes a Good Life

Episode Highlights With Dr. Waldinger How he became a zen master who teaches meditation around the world The science of meditation and the science of why it is beneficial What the Harvard study of adult development is- the longest study on the same group of people since 1938 Key takeaways from this extremely long study The surprising key to happiness and why human connection and relationships are so important Helpful questions for checking in on your own relationships How childhood experiences shape mental health later in life and what children really need to feel safe and secure in life What the data says about things that extend lifespan and things that shorten it How human connection correlates to a longer lifespan Strong relationships are natural stress reducers - the science of how this works Why happiness is not something we can “achieve” past our basic human needs How to build a safety net of well-being to help increase happiness and calm even in tough times Ways to use our feelings as signals but exercise choice in how we act and respond How to increase “social fitness” and nurture relationships in your life A rule of thumb when it comes to relationships Why kids need to see us model prioritizing relationships and taking care of ourselves What empathetic accuracy is and how to get better at it The W.I.S.E.R method for handling emotionally challenging situations The best investment you can make in your own well-being (it might surprise you) Health and lifestyle trends that stood out from the data in this study Resources We Mention Robert Waldinger: What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness | TED Talk The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger, MD Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn Thanks to Our Sponsors! Hiya Children's Vitamins - A clean line of children's vitamins that provides growing kids with all the essential nutrients that might be missing from their diet. Wellnesse - My line of clean, non-toxic personal care products such as toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and much more! "If the path before you is clear, you're probably on somebody else's path." - Joseph Campbell