Office Hours with Arthur Brooks

7 Habits That Lead to Happiness in Old Age

27 snips
Sep 15, 2025
The podcast delves into the surprising correlation between aging and happiness, debunking myths that older age leads to unhappiness. It shares insights from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, emphasizing the U-shaped happiness curve. Key topics include how love and deep friendships are crucial for well-being, the significance of lifelong learning, and practical habits to cultivate joy. Strategies for handling setbacks and enhancing emotional resilience are discussed, highlighting how to maximize happiness in later years.
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INSIGHT

The U-Shaped Happiness Curve

  • Happiness typically declines from your 20s into your early 50s then rises significantly from early 50s to about 70.
  • That rise reflects trading short-term enjoyment for long-term meaning earned earlier in life.
ADVICE

Quit Smoking Now

  • Don't smoke; lifelong smokers face a ~70% chance of dying from smoking-related illness and severe quality-of-life loss.
  • Quitting avoids predictable morbidity and moves you toward the 'happy well' quadrant.
ADVICE

Be Strict With Substances

  • Interrogate and restrict euphoric substance use; substance dependence predicts relationship dissolution and poor well-being.
  • If you or your family have addiction risk, stop and seek support to protect future happiness.
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