The Science of Happiness Part 8: How to Find Your People
10/26/22 • 13 min
For a good life, find your people and nurture strong relationships.
"In other words, make friends with individuals. The other side of the individualistic coin: Find your people."
I grew up in the United States and, like many Americans, I was taught that my country was the best in the world. I never questioned this belief until I went to college and studied anthropology. I learned about ethnocentrism, the belief that one's own culture is superior to all others. After traveling around the world, I realized that Americans are some of the worst offenders when it comes to ethnocentrism.
In this episode, you will learn the following:
1) The Harvard Study of Adult Development, which has followed people from their teenage years into old age, has revealed insights about what makes up a life well-lived.
2) Dr. Robert Waldinger, MD, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard and the current head of the study, has learned which adults turn out happy and why.
3) The study has found that happy people avoid toxic tribalism, or the tendency to view members of other groups as inferior.
Did you get your Free Copy of Dawn's book yet?
Connect with me:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midlifeinparadise/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawndfleming/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnfleming/
For a good life, find your people and nurture strong relationships.
"In other words, make friends with individuals. The other side of the individualistic coin: Find your people."
I grew up in the United States and, like many Americans, I was taught that my country was the best in the world. I never questioned this belief until I went to college and studied anthropology. I learned about ethnocentrism, the belief that one's own culture is superior to all others. After traveling around the world, I realized that Americans are some of the worst offenders when it comes to ethnocentrism.
In this episode, you will learn the following:
1) The Harvard Study of Adult Development, which has followed people from their teenage years into old age, has revealed insights about what makes up a life well-lived.
2) Dr. Robert Waldinger, MD, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard and the current head of the study, has learned which adults turn out happy and why.
3) The study has found that happy people avoid toxic tribalism, or the tendency to view members of other groups as inferior.
Did you get your Free Copy of Dawn's book yet?
Connect with me:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midlifeinparadise/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawndfleming/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnfleming/
Previous Episode
The Science of Happiness Part 7: How to Nurture Good Relationships
Do you want to know the secret to happiness and success? It may surprise you to know that emotional intelligence (EI) is key!
"Emotional intelligence is the ability to monitor one's own and other people's emotions, to discriminate between different emotions and label them appropriately, and to use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior."
In the Science of Happiness and in Volume Two, we're focusing on what we can do to improve our happiness as we relate to other human beings in community. For over eight decades, the Harvard Study of Adult Development has been tracking the same individuals and their families, asking thousands of questions and taking hundreds of measurements from brain scans to blood work, with the goal of discovering what really makes for a good life. Through all the years of studying these people, strong relationships have the biggest impact on physical health, mental health and longevity. In part seven, our big reveal is happy people nurture good relationships. Dr. Waldinger, who now runs the study, says that emotional intelligence and relationship acumen are bigger predictors of success than IQ.
In this episode, you will learn the following:
1. What is emotional intelligence and how can it be learned?
2. How does emotional intelligence impact our ability to succeed in different areas of life?
3. What are some practical tips for improving emotional intelligence?
In this volume, Dr. Waldinger explains that emotional intelligence and relationship acumen are bigger predictors of success than IQ. Emotional intelligence helps us build stronger relationships, succeed at school or in the workplace, reduce stress, defuse conflicts and enhance satisfaction. Proficient social skills allow us to build meaningful relationships with others and develop a deeper understanding of ourselves. Some essential social skills are active listening, verbal and nonverbal communication, leadership and persuasiveness. Here are some tips on improving your social skills: ask open ended questions, use icebreakers, maintain good eye contact, express interest in others and ask them personal questions.
Resources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5981239/
Did you get your Free Copy of Dawn's book yet?
Connect with me:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midlifeinparadise/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawndfleming/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnfleming/
Next Episode
Episode 100: Dia de los Muertos a Celebration of Death and Life
“Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside while still alive.” – Norman Cousins
Dia de los Muertos is such a fitting day for Episode 100. This huge milestone also marks the Death of the Overseas Life Redesign Podcast. Have a listen and hear what’s coming - because this isn’t the end!
This episode is a peak behind the curtain. A short history of the show, where we’ve been, a celebration of outcomes and accomplishments. Dawn explains why the show is ending and reasons for a new beginning.
Next week we'll celebrate the birth and life of the evolution of the show - the new name, new format, more interaction with our wonderful listeners, rewards for being a Fan of the Show - and a ton of Relaunch Gifts coming you way!
Did you get your Free Copy of Dawn's book yet?
Connect with me:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midlifeinparadise/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawndfleming/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnfleming/
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