In a world where the pursuit of happiness can often seem elusive, the book ‘The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness’ presents a compelling view: true connections can lead to a happy and satisfied life. This book draws its ideas from the thorough research of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, a study that looked at adults for a remarkable 84 years. By studying two different groups – college students from 1938 and people who grew up in poorer parts of Boston – the book uncovers how important relationships are in shaping a successful life journey.
In this review, we delve into the pages of ‘The Good Life,’ a book that not only examines the results of this extensive study but also explores the fundamental idea that relationships are a key foundation of human flourishing.
About the authors

Robert Waldinger serves as a psychiatry professor at Harvard Medical School. He is in charge of the Harvard Study of Adult Development located at Massachusetts General Hospital, and he is one of the founders of the Lifespan Research Foundation.

He earned his AB degree from Harvard College and his MD degree from Harvard Medical School. Dr. Waldinger also oversees a psychotherapy teaching initiative for Harvard’s psychiatry residents.
Marc Schulz holds the position of associate director at the Harvard Study of Adult Development and occupies the Sue Kardas PhD 1971 Chair in Psychology at Bryn Mawr College.

He is also responsible for leading the Data Science Program and has previously been the head of the psychology department. Apart from his academic roles, he practices as a therapist, having received additional training in health and clinical psychology at Harvard Medical School during his postdoctoral phase.
What is the book about?

‘The Good Life,’ authored by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz, draws upon the extensive research conducted through the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the longest-running scientific investigation into happiness. In this captivating work, the authors explore the fundamental question of what constitutes a happy and fulfilling life.
Contrary to common assumptions, Waldinger and Schulz assert that the essence of a meaningful life lies not in material wealth or fame, but in the quality of one’s relationships. Drawing from a wealth of personal stories collected over the years and supplemented by research from numerous other studies, the authors reveal that the strength of our connections profoundly influences our overall well-being. These connections encompass various forms – from friendships and romantic partnerships to family ties, work relationships, and social groups. The book emphasises that fostering genuine, high-quality relationships has a substantial impact on both physical and mental health.
Overall, ‘The Good Life’ provides a powerful argument for prioritising human connections and relationships as the cornerstones of a fulfilled existence. By focusing on building and sustaining these connections, readers are encouraged to uncover the path to genuine happiness and contentment.
Key takeaways from ‘The Good Life’

1Positive relationships are essential to human well-being
The exploration of the role that relationships play in our quest for a fulfilling existence is paid significant attention in the initial chapters of the book. Just as our physiological responses guide us toward food and safety, they urge us to seek connections. Positive interactions trigger pleasure sensations and signal safety, reducing stress and enhancing well-being.
Examining the lives of study participants like John Marsden and Leo DeMarco, the authors unravel the complex interplay between life choices, sociocultural influences, and personal well-being. Despite societal priorities and cultural distractions, the authors affirm that warm relationships are imperative for human flourishing. They challenge conventional wisdom by highlighting that material conditions alone do not dictate happiness – individuals like Leo, with his rich family life, outshine those like John, who pursued professional success but struggled to find contentment.
The authors’ resounding message is that amidst the complexities of the modern world, positive relationships remain essential to human well-being, offering a guiding light towards the elusive ‘good life.’
2Loving contact – the equivalent of a drug
In the chapter ‘The Person Beside You: How Intimate Relationships Shape Our Lives,’ the authors explore the profound impact of intimate relationships on our well-being, highlighting the connection between emotions, brain activity, and physical health. The book introduces the concept that relationships are not just external interactions but internal experiences, generating hormonal and chemical responses that influence our bodies throughout our lives.
Through the narrative of James Coan’s accidental discovery, while studying post-traumatic stress disorder, the book demonstrates that the simple act of holding hands with a loved one has a soothing effect comparable to a mild anaesthetic. It unveils the power of emotions as depth indicators for relationships, allowing us to uncover underlying currents of connection, wishes, fears, and expectations. The story underscores the critical role of empathy and affection in sustaining relationships. Drawing on research findings, the book reveals that emotional expressions of affection and empathic responses are strong predictors of relationship stability and longevity. By cultivating a foundation of empathy and affection, couples can foster enduring bonds and enhance the emotional, mental, and even physical dimensions of their relationships.
3Relationships within the family shape our abilities and traits
There is a profound impact of family experiences on our lives. The Harvard Study captures the intricate tapestry of family dynamics over time, revealing the enduring importance of family connections. The bonds we share with our families, whether biological or chosen, lay the foundation for our emotional development, shaping our coping abilities and expectations in relationships.
The study’s insights emphasise that family experiences are far from static. Childhood memories, both positive and negative, serve as psychological heirlooms that inform our adult behaviours and attitudes. The warmth and support we receive as children, particularly from consistent caregivers, contribute to our ability to form secure attachments and seek meaningful connections throughout life. By understanding the emotional inheritance we carry and the ways we process emotions, we can actively shape and transform our connections, nurturing the threads that tie us to our family’s past and weaving them into the fabric of our own lives.
Strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews

Strengths
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The use of a long-term study and real-life examples adds credibility and depth to the book’s exploration of what constitutes a good life.
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The book offers various practices that stimulate one’s reflection on their life, values, and family status.
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The book’s content is so impactful that some readers reported tearing up and experiencing a stronger sense of connection to the world while reading.
Weaknesses
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The book’s length could have been significantly shorter, as it repeatedly emphasises the straightforward conclusion.
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The extensive use of anecdotal tales from study participants, while occasionally interesting, takes up a substantial portion of the book and may come across as excessive.
Best quotes from ‘The Good Life’

“For eighty-four years (and counting), the Harvard Study has tracked the same individuals, asking thousands of questions and taking hundreds of measurements to find out what really keeps people healthy and happy. Through all the years of studying these lives, one crucial factor stands out for the consistency and power of its ties to physical health, mental health, and longevity. Contrary to what many people might think, it’s not career achievement, or exercise, or a healthy diet. Don’t get us wrong; these things matter (a lot). But one thing continuously demonstrates its broad and enduring importance: Good relationships. In fact, good relationships are significant enough that if we had to take all eighty-four years of the Harvard Study and boil it down to a single principle for living, one life investment that is supported by similar findings across a wide variety of other studies, it would be this: Good relationships keep us healthier and happier. Period.”
“Because a rich life – a good life – is forged from precisely the things that make it hard.”
“This is what we call the “You Always / You Never” trap. Our experience with our family members starts so early in life that our expectations about relationships become deeply imprinted, and anything that happens, no matter how subtle, often gets pressed into that old imprint. We have to remember that as we grow and change throughout our lives, so do our family members; by not giving them the benefit of the doubt, we may not see how they have changed.”
Final takeaway

‘The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness’ by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz stands as a compelling testament to the profound impact of human relationships on our well-being and fulfilment. Through the lens of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the authors offer a poignant exploration of what truly constitutes a happy and meaningful existence.
This work is recommended for anyone seeking to gain valuable insights into prioritising and nurturing genuine human connections as the foundation of a contented and purposeful life.
Where to buy
You may purchase ‘The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness’ on Amazon at the best price. It is available in paperback, hardcover, spiral bound, audio and Kindle versions, so you may choose an option that appeals to you the most.