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

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