At the same millennia, Harvard summed up the results of an unusual study: for almost 70 years, five generations of scientists have been observing a group of eight hundred people.
Experts tried to understand what specific positive values make up the concepts of happiness and joy of life. Even before the outbreak of World War II, several hundred schoolchildren and students were selected, mentally and physically healthy and not prone to breaking the law. Among them were people from wealthy families and inhabitants of urban slums, gifted children and modest C students. All of them, as best they could, arranged their lives, and every few years they filled out questionnaires and underwent a medical examination. The results of the unique experience resulted in a best-selling book by the latest project leader, Dr. George Vaillant. Comparing life with a minefield, he suggests following in the footsteps of those who have already successfully walked through it, and gladly shares other people’s experience of a happy and long life.
Laws of a happy life
So, the first law of a happy life is that you can get sick, but you can’t feel sick! Our own assessment of our physical condition is much more important than objective indicators. No bad tests, cardio-, echo- and other programs, strokes, heart attacks and others like them have the power to overshadow old age, as long as a person perceives them as traffic accidents, breakdowns inevitable on a long journey, and not as the main content of the route. Optimists in a more serious condition look and feel much more cheerful than their peers and even younger pessimists.
The second rule — Love is life in the most literal sense. If by the age of 50 a faithful life partner has been found — it does not matter, on the first or fifth attempt — this is a sure sign that you will celebrate your eightieth birthday in a bright mind and good health. Moreover, it turned out that a stable marriage is a much more reliable sign of longevity than low cholesterol at the same 50. Doctors assure that those who love and are loved, who know how to listen and sympathize, who are open to people and benevolent, live longer and happier.
Forgiveness is one of the surest keys to happy longevity. And the accumulated grievances — whether for the whole universe in general or for the immediate environment — devour the mind and body, like cancer cells, taking years and the ability to experience joy. The bright sides of life deserve more attention than the dark ones. By the way, scientists recently discovered that the hostile attitude characteristic of some older people is in itself a risk factor for the development of coronary insufficiency, and immeasurably more than high cholesterol, overweight, hypertension and smoking!
But what about the soul? Studies have revealed a pattern: people who seek the help of a psychoanalyst are 33% less likely to visit other doctors, 75% less likely to go to the hospital, miss almost half as many working days and take one-third less medication. Moreover, this effect persists for 2,5 years after the completion of the course of psychotherapy. The ability to cope with worldly storms protects the body from premature wear and tear. Not only that: according to US statistics, perhaps the longest life expectancy is distinguished by psychoanalysts, who, as you know, are required to regularly undergo psychoanalysis themselves.
Another rule of happiness is that it is never too late to learn and there is always something to learn. People who have received at least an incomplete higher education live on average 6 years longer than those who neglected this opportunity. Apparently, the secret is that educated people have broader interests and a high culture, a more responsible attitude towards their health. Age is no excuse for not wanting to learn. On the contrary: older people are spared the crazy pace of everyday work and household duties and can fully enjoy new knowledge and skills. Psychologists have noticed that the readiness to explore new areas and engage in creativity add much more vigor and self-confidence to pensioners than a stable financial situation. No wonder the wise Chinese say that personal life begins only after fifty.