A Harvard study, which has lasted more than 85 years, researched what brings us happiness and which people do better after retirement, and the result pointed to a specific factor.
Below we will talk a little more about this study!
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“What brings us happiness?”: this question guides a Harvard study
The Harvard researchers gathered some of the health records of 724 people from around the world by asking them detailed questions about their lives at intervals of about two years.
As survey participants entered middle age and old age, the “Harvard Study” frequently asked about retirement.
Based on respondents' responses, the #1 challenge people face in retirement is not being able to have the same social connections that sustained them for so long at work.
The lack of socialization
When we talk about retirement, we end up stressing ourselves with aspects such as financial concerns and health problems. But people who do better in retirement find ways to cultivate social connections.
One study participant, when asked what he missed most about being a doctor for nearly 50 years, replied: “Absolutely nothing about the job itself. I miss the people and the friendships”.
Another participant had a similar sentiment as the previous one: after retiring as a high school teacher, he found it difficult to keep in touch with his co-workers.
“I get spiritual sustenance by talking about business. It's wonderful to help someone acquire skills.” “Teaching young people is what started my whole exploration process”.
Hobbies are not enough
For many of us, work is where we end up feeling most important to our co-workers, customers, communities and even our families.
Henry Keane was forced to retire due to changes in his factory. He suddenly found himself with a lot of free time and energy, which was unusual for him. He then decided to volunteer with the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars to invest more time in his hobbies, but he still felt something was missing.
Henry Keane told researchers at the age of 65: "I need to work!", "Nothing too substantial, but I'm learning that I love being around people."
What to do to retire happily?
Seek to invest in your relationships now!
We often end up getting wrapped up in financial concerns and the pressure of work deadlines and even those that our own minds end up designing.
That way, we don't realize how important our work relationships are until they're gone.
To create true connections, ask yourself the following questions:
- Who are the people I most enjoy working with and what makes them valuable to me? Am I enjoying them?
- What types of connections am I missing and want more? How can I make them happen?
- Is there anyone I would like to get to know better? How can I reach you?
- If I'm having a conflict with a co-worker, what can I do to alleviate it?
- Who is different from me in some way (thinks differently, comes from a different background, has a different experience)? What can I learn from them?
