¡International Day of Happiness!
The longest-running study of well-being has been going on for over 85 years and is still ongoing. It began at Harvard.
March 20 2025
Every March 20, the world celebrates the International Day of Happiness, established by the UN in 2012 to recognize happiness and well-being as universal aspirations.
The Origin of the International Day of Happiness
The initiative emerged in Bhutan, a country that has promoted Gross National Happiness (GNH) as an alternative indicator to GDP since the 1970s. Bhutan maintains that progress should be measured not only in economic terms but also in terms of people’s well-being. Inspired by this vision, the UN has urged governments to include well-being in their public policies.
In 1938, Harvard University began the Study of Adult Development, the longest-running study of human happiness and well-being. It grew out of two independent projects:
1. The Grant Study, with 268 Harvard students from white, well-off families.
2. The Glueck Study, with 456 young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods in Boston.
Over time, the two studies merged and have followed participants for more than eight decades, analyzing health, relationships, and well-being. Today, it is directed by psychiatrist Robert Waldinger (the fourth director) and includes descendants of the original participants.
The study has shown that human relationships are the key factor for a happy and healthy life.
Some notable findings:
– Social connections improve health and longevity.
– The quality of relationships matters more than quantity.
– Money and professional success do not guarantee long-term happiness.
– Loneliness harms health and increases the risk of disease.
A Reminder for the Future
In a world facing challenges such as inequality and the mental health crisis, the International Day of Happiness and the Harvard Study remind us that happiness lies not in wealth or where we live, but in the quality of our relationships and in building more equitable societies. This day invites us to reflect on what truly matters and to foster connections that help us live full and meaningful lives.