468: The secret sauce of happiness | Psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, M.D.

Order a copy of my new book The Joy Of Well-Being at thejoyofwellbeing.com! 

Robert Waldinger, M.D.: “People who are more concerned about others are happier.”

Robert, a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and Zen practitioner, joins us to discuss how to live a life full of purpose, happiness, and health, plus:

- Robert’s professional background and research (~00:13)

- What makes up a “good” life? (~01:15)

- The longest study every done on adult life (~02:01)

- What happiness looked like 80 years ago versus today (~03:21)

- Why we’re more unhappy than ever (~06:27)

- Why strong relationships are crucial for well-being (~07:39)

- How happiness changes as you age (~10:03)

- The biggest takeaways from the Harvard Study of Adult Development (~11:42)

- How casual relationships impact your health (~12:54)

- How technology & social media really affects happiness (~14:33)

- Why wealth & fame makes some people happy but not others (~17:26)

- A meditation practice for genuine happiness (~21:04)

- Why loneliness is a huge health issue (~22:33)

- How to make genuine connects with others (~23:33)

- The role of purpose & community in happiness (~30:16)

- The biggest happiness myths (~34:37)

- Why not every friendship has to last (~37:02)

- The keys to maintaining happiness from generation to generation (~39:21)

- The future of happiness research (~43:11)

- How to start a social fitness routine (~45:32)

Referenced in the episode:

- Robert's book, The Good Life.

- The Harvard Study of Adult Development.

- Watch Robert's TED Talk.

- Huberman Lab Podcast episode on happiness.

- A survey revealing 1 in 4 Gen Z-ers plan to become influencers.

- Bowling Alone, by Robert Putnam.

- Read more about Erik Erikson's theory of generativity.

- Sign up for The Long Game. 

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