What The Ultimate Study On Happiness Reveals

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A huge thanks to Prof. Robert Waldinger for all his help with this video.

A special thanks to Prof. Julianne Holt-Lunstad for her expert advice on the importance of social connections and the detrimental effects of loneliness and social isolation.

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Additional Videos:

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References:
Waldinger, R., & Schulz, M. (2023). The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness. Simon and Schuster.

Valtorta et al. (2016). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal observational studies. Heart. -

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Directed by Casper Mebius
Written by Casper Mebius, Petr Lebedev, and Derek Muller
Edited by Peter Nelson
Animated by Fabio Albertelli and Ivy Tello
Filmed by Derek Muller, Emily Zhang, and Zyan Treadwell
Produced by Casper Mebius, Petr Lebedev, Han Evans, and Derek Muller
Additional video/photos supplied by Getty Images and Storyblocks
Music from Epidemic Sound
Thumbnail by Ren Hurley

[lindybeige]

You did not discuss the massive problem of separating cause from effect. Married people are happier. Is this because they are married, or because happy people are more likely to attract a spouse? Are people lonely because they are sad or sad because they are lonely? Happy people find it easier to make friends, so do the friends make them happy, or or does their happiness gain them friends? Without addressing this problem, you haven't got to grips with the subject.

[cirogarcia]

I think it's really interesting how the guy at 20:54 says we wants a ton of kids, and then clarifies "as many as I can afford". I think this is the reason people first think of money for what makes us happier, because the lack of money is the biggest limiting factor in our lives. It's not that having more money will directly make us happier, it's that it will extend the limit to the things we can do to make us happy

[PianoUniverse]

I find I'm happiest when I'm looking forward to something I like. And also when most problems in my life are resolved.

[itachi-senpaii]

I used to get frequent panic attacks few years back, and I still get anxiety attacks today.
At times, it felt like life was not worth living, because I felt so disconnected from this world.
I am trying to understand what it means to have a meaningful life.
So it doesn't really matter, just do your thing, do the things you love doing, chase your goals without thinking twice, have no regrets in life.
And, if there is nothing you wanna do for yourself, do little good things for the people around you.

[web_jar]

This is probably the most important educational video I have ever seen. As an introvert myself, I used to discount the value of relationships. But as I am growing older I am realising that this has REAL consequences.

[Zeppelin]

When you cite the study that said that beyond $75, 000 there is little increase in happiness (or however you want to frame it), you have to remember that the referenced study was performed in 2010.

I just did the conversion between December 2010 and October 2023 (the approximate time of this comment) on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

$75, 000 in 2010 is equivalent to just over $105, 000 today. Keep that in mind folks.

[ts]

Money can and does buy you happiness; money also buys you time, respect, opportunities, education, health, homes, good nutrition, family, hobbies and so much more.

[lamia.thira.lowenstein]

i'm isolated and have no career the last 2 years, but i'm happy. not the happiest in my life, but the longest period of happiness. my mom also has money, so money helps a lot in not making me worry. so minimal money for survival and lack of social pressure is my formula for happiness

[perdu]

My life changed when I understood that the key to solve my loneliness problem was to stop expecting people to come to me, and to make the effort to go to them and actually get interested in them
I can't stress how miraculous the results are. Basically everyone is craving for attention. If you give it to them, they will be your best friends

[danev]

I have always felt that being close to friends and family as well as a life-long (I'm 81 now) continued learning of any subject I was curious about, contributes to my overall satisfaction, self-confidence, and the awareness that all people are connected. Being involved with those in our local “village” seems to be built into our DNA, and quickly becomes the source of feeling we belong and generally happy with our lives.

[aaronvu]

Being Thankful and Agency are the biggest ingredients to be happy: being content of what you have, and in control and the consequence of your actions.

[ericalanrosenfeld]

This channel has been my primary media for years, very grateful for you Derek

[zontiaczontiac]

"Maybe the real treasure was the friends we made along the way" is a comment that is now getting old, ok, now it is time to reverse it. Maybe the real existencial crysis was the friends we didn't make along the way

[werewolf]

"Relationships protect our Brains" really hit me hard. I had Grandparents that lived long happy lives, when they moved into a nursing home they were put in separate rooms. When my Mom finally got the staff to get them a shared room, Grandpa unfortunately passed due to health complications before they got their room. Grandma's dementia (which was minimal to nonexistent before Grandpa's passing) ramped up and she was never the same. She too passed within a year of Grandpa's passing. It was pretty much accepted by our family that losing Grandpa was the cause of her fall into dementia and her eventual goodbye. That to me is the strongest proof how powerful relationships are to people.

[garyandcandy]

My favorite line in this video was "I want as many kids as I can afford" it's ties what we know we need from a practical point (money) to what we want from a deeply emotional point (family/connection). The answer of "which" provides happiness can't be answers because they are both necessary. A large family that's barely fed is not a happy place nor is "crying alone on a yacht" . Great video!

[Me_Caveman]

I am happiest when overcoming adversity. As long as there is something to overcome, I will always be happy.

[Steve_K]

At about 21 minutes we're told good relationships depend on constant, regular reinforcement. I didn't know this when I started, years ago, to end the day talking with my wife about the day's events, tomorrow's plans, anything we'd forgotten to mention earlier. These ten minutes are part of our daily routine, and may be part of the reason we're still deeply in love after 54 years together. I wish I had started it decades ago, not years ago but, as is said, better late than never. Hope it helps.

[johnhu]

Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it removes a lot of sources of unhappiness

[markcleaver]

I've never spent time alone, like months alone, until now at 67y.o. Tight connections with loved ones around you completes the individual.

[names]

One thing I am sure of - human beings want to be challenged. Need to be challenged. When one is hedonistic, you believe you are living more life by not depriving oneself of pleasure whenever the mood strikes. Giving in to every urge and impulse because it makes you “happy” may seem right but you’re always going to end up hollow. Controlling your self and knowing you have that strength is the real key to long term success abs happiness. That’s confidence and power. Mastery of self.