James Fishman | Sunstone Online

The Key Ingredients to a Happy Life

Americans are deeply invested in the ideal of happiness. But what actually defines happiness and how people are supposed to seek it out is an entirely different question. It’s one that researchers have spent a great deal of time analyzing and certainly an idea that remains elusive to many.

Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, has spent his entire life’s work looking at these issues. In a study started in 1938, he found that the main key to happiness boils down to relationships. He has coauthored the book The Good Life: Lessons From the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness and shares many of the findings from this study there.

Waldinger outlines five essential tips for achieving a happier life:

Prioritize Physical Health: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking or excessive drinking are vital. Those who take care of their physical well-being not only live longer but also enjoy more years free from illness.
Nurture Social Connections: Invest in relationships by actively seeking out connections. Whether through community activities, hobbies, or volunteering, expanding your social circle can improve your overall well-being.
Maintain and Strengthen Relationships: Small, consistent actions like regular check-ins with friends or shared activities help keep relationships vibrant and prevent them from fading due to neglect.
Express Core Values: Identify and express what truly matters to you, whether it’s authenticity, family, or other values. Engaging in activities that align with these values enhances life satisfaction.
Embrace Change: Relationships and personal circumstances evolve. Accepting and adapting to these changes, rather than resisting them, leads to healthier, more supportive connections.

Waldinger emphasizes that while happiness fluctuates, focusing on these areas can lead to a more fulfilling life overall. He also explains that one of the most fascinating findings of the study was that people who were connected to others not only found happiness – but that they lived longer.

Travel’s Lure: Whether You Can Afford It Or Not

There has been a lot written over the last few years about how the COVID years changed the work habits of the young and have had a lasting impression on people in many of their habits and thoughts. One new example that is emerging is the desire for many (in America) to focus on vacationing, even at the expense of incurring debt.

According to a 2023 study from the website WalletHub, 25% of Americans interviewed said that it was worth going into debit to enjoy a great vacation. Professor of public policy at USC Elizabeth Currid-Halkett explains that, “We wouldn’t have been able to predict it, the way the pandemic affected different generations in different ways, but the idea that our friends matter, living life matters, how important living a good life is – that has led to a change in how people spend their money. When you’re young, you don’t have money to shift into another area, but you can say, ‘I’ll think about this later and live my best life right now.”

Certainly, a number of factors play into these decisions. With the social media boom and the visual of so many people traveling, many people feel both left out and that travel is accessible and easy for all. There is also the idea that people may be “doomspending” and Alex King of the personal finance website Generation Money puts it.

Unique Travel Ideas: The Madonna Inn

There are so many great places to go in the world. Sometimes, however, we forget that we might have interesting places to see right in our own backyards. If you live in California, here is one outstandingly interesting location – the Madonna Inn. Get a feel for the hotel and you just might want to make this your next travel destination!

Live Longer with Gratitude

We all know that it’s important to be grateful. But what does that actually mean? And how does one show gratitude?

Interesting, gratitude is important for more reasons that one might expect – including for your actual physical health and longevity. A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry has shown that people who experience higher levels of gratitude have a lower risk of dying from any cause, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.

The study analyzed data from the Nurses’ Health Study, which included nearly 50,000 women aged 69 to 96. Participants completed a gratitude questionnaire, and the researchers found that those with the highest levels of gratitude had a 9% lower risk of death compared to those with the lowest levels of gratitude. This finding highlights the significant role that gratitude can play in promoting health and longevity.

Dr. Tyler VanderWeele, the senior author of the study, emphasized the power of gratitude in enhancing happiness, reducing depressive symptoms, and improving overall health. The study also noted that women who reported higher gratitude levels were more likely to be slightly younger, have a partner, participate in social or religious groups, and have better overall health.

With all of this said, it’s not always easy to know how to show gratitude. A few ideas include keeping a gratitude journal, writing letters or notes of thanks to people when they do something positive for you, and being specific with people to express your thanks.

The World’s Best Restaurants

What does it take to get onto the world’s best list of restaurants? Certainly a lifetime of dedication and an incredible atmosphere and menu. It helps, apparently, for you to be in Spain as well since many of the top restaurants are situated in that culinary heaven.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants is a list created with the assistance each year of 1,080 culinary specialists and a very specific voting process. The process is certainly an interesting one and one that’s worth learning more about.

Spain has definitely solidified its position with three of the top five restaurants and five in total of the top 50. Barcelona’s Disfrutar clinched the top spot, impressing with innovative dishes like the caviar-filled Panchino doughnut. Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo ranked second, renowned for its exquisite barbecue under chef Victor Arguinzoniz. Madrid’s Diverxo took the fourth spot, further highlighting Spain’s culinary excellence.

Paris’s Table by Bruno Verjus came third, while Lima’s Maido, emphasizing South American cuisine, secured fifth place. Notably, Mexico’s Quintonil was the top North American restaurant at seventh.

The top ten of the list includes the following. It’s certainly worth browsing through the entire list and having an experience of this sort on your “someday” bucket list.

1. Disfrutar (Barcelona, Spain)

2. Asador Etxebarri (Atxondo, Spain)

3. Table by Bruno Verjus (Paris, France)

4. Diverxo (Madrid, Spain)

5. Maido (Lima, Peru)

6. Atomix (New York City) – Best restaurant in North America

7. Quintonil (Mexico City, Mexico)

8. Alchemist (Copenhagen, Denmark)

9. Gaggan Anand (Bangkok, Thailand)

10. Don Julio (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

The World’s Declining Birth Rates

The world is facing a significant demographic shift due to consistently falling fertility rates. A report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) highlights a stark decrease from 3.3 children per woman in 1960 to 1.5 in 2022 among its member nations. This drop below the replacement level of 2.1 children necessary to maintain a stable population signals profound future changes.

Economically, the implications are severe. An aging population could strain labor markets, potentially heightening inflation as the balance of working-age individuals to retirees shifts. Historically, a ratio of six workers per retiree has dwindled to nearly two-to-one. This evolving demographic landscape is prompting business leaders and policymakers to adapt strategies.

For instance, U.S. companies are increasingly discussing labor shortages, with major corporate executives pointing out the need for adjustments in their workforce planning. Furthermore, immigration, previously a remedy for labor deficits in affluent nations, can no longer be solely relied upon due to the global nature of declining birth rates.

The future economic policy may need to consider incentives for higher birth rates or integrate alternative solutions like enhancing productivity through technological advancements such as artificial intelligence. This demographic trend is not a transient issue; it necessitates immediate attention to prevent potential economic disruptions and ensure a sustainable socio-economic framework.