The 75-year Harvard Grant study— one of the most comprehensive longitudinal studies ever conducted — was followed for 75 years by 268 male Harvard undergraduates from the 1938-1940 classes (now well into their 90s), collecting data on various aspects of their lives regularly. The end of the universe? Loving matters, at least in deciding long-term happiness and satisfaction of life.
The long-time director of the experiment, psychologist George Vaillant, told The Huffington Post that there are two foundations of happiness: “One is love. The other is finding a way to cope with a life that does not drive love away.”
For example, one person began the study with the lowest rating for future stability of all participants and had attempted suicide before. But he’s one of the happiest at the end of his life. What’s the reason?
According to the infamous analysis of Oscar winners, gaining fame and success is not just an ego boost— it could also be a path to longevity. Researchers at the Sunnybrook and Women’s College, Health Sciences Center in Toronto, found that Academy Award-winning actors and directors tend to live longer than those nominated but lost, with winning actors and actresses surviving their lost peers by almost four years.
