What Actually Makes People Happy, According to Science

How to lead a happier and longer life. Check out our sponsor: https://betterhelp.com/veritasium to get matched with a professional therapist who will listen and help.

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A huge thanks to Prof. Robert Waldinger for all his help with this video.

To learn more about what makes for a good life, visit: https://the-good-life-book.com/ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KkKuTCFvzI&pp=ygUJd2FsZGluZ2Vy

A special thanks to Prof. Julianne Holt-Lunstad for her expert advice on the importance of social connections and the detrimental effects of loneliness and social isolation.

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References:
Waldinger, R., & Schulz, M. (2023). The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness. Simon and Schuster.

Lindqvist et al. (2020). Long-run effects of lottery wealth on psychological well-being. The Review of Economic Studies. - https://ve42.co/Lindqvist2020

Wen et al. (2011). Minimum amount of physical activity for reduced mortality and extended life expectancy: a prospective cohort study. The lancet. - https://ve42.co/Wen2011

Nocon et al. (2008). Association of physical activity with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. - https://ve42.co/Nocon2008

Blondell et al. (2014). Does physical activity prevent cognitive decline and dementia?: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. BMC public health. - https://ve42.co/Blondell2014

Office of the Surgeon General. (2023). Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The US Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. - https://ve42.co/LonelinessEpidemic

Holt-Lunstad et al. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: a meta-analytic review. PLoS medicine. - https://ve42.co/Holt-Lunstad2010

Valtorta et al. (2016). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal observational studies. Heart. -
https://ve42.co/Valtorta2016

Shovestul et al. (2020). Risk factors for loneliness: The high relative importance of age versus other factors. PloS one. - https://ve42.co/Shovestul2020

Donovan et al. (2017). Loneliness, depression and cognitive function in older US adults. International journal of geriatric psychiatry. - https://ve42.co/Donovan2017

Lara et al. (2019). Does loneliness contribute to mild cognitive impairment and dementia? A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Ageing research reviews. - https://ve42.co/Lara2019

Holt-Lunstad et al. (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: a meta-analytic review. Perspectives on psychological science. - https://ve42.co/Holt-Lunstad2015

McIntyre et al. (2015). Compulsive Internet use and relations between social connectedness, and introversion. Computers in Human Behavior. - https://ve42.co/McIntyre2015

Kahneman & Deaton. (2010). High income improves evaluation of life but not emotional well-being. Proceedings of the national academy of sciences. - https://ve42.co/Kahneman2010

Killingsworth. (2021). Experienced well-being rises with income, even above $75,000 per year. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - https://ve42.co/Killingsworth2021

Killingsworth et al. (2023). Income and emotional well-being: A conflict resolved. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - https://ve42.co/Killingsworth2023

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Directed by Casper Mebius
Written by Casper Mebius, Petr Lebedev, and Derek Muller
Edited by Peter Nelson
Animated by Fabio Albertelli and Ivy Tello
Filmed by Derek Muller, Emily Zhang, and Zyan Treadwell
Produced by Casper Mebius, Petr Lebedev, Han Evans, and Derek Muller
Additional video/photos supplied by Getty Images and Storyblocks
Music from Epidemic Sound
Thumbnail by Ren Hurley