Based on Harvard-affiliated research, here are eight psychological facts

Based on Harvard-affiliated research, here are eight psychological facts you may not have known. 1. Quality relationships are the key to a happy life The longest-running study on happiness, the Harvard Grant Study, tracked 724 men for 85 years and found that strong, positive relationships were the most important predictor of a long, happy, and healthy life. Factors like wealth, fame, or career achievement were far less significant. 2. Loneliness is as toxic as smoking The Grant Study found that loneliness is incredibly harmful to your health. Researchers reported that chronic disconnection from others is as damaging to the body as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. People with warm, close relationships lived longer and were happier, while lonely people died earlier. 3. Your body language can change your brain chemistry While controversial due to replication issues, a famous 2010 study co-authored by Harvard psychologist Amy Cuddy suggested that adopting "power poses" for just a minute can increase your testosterone and decrease your cortisol levels, potentially making you feel more confident. 4. Money can't buy happiness, unless you spend it on others According to research from Harvard professor Daniel Gilbert, there is a limit to how much happiness money can buy. Beyond covering basic needs, people with more money report being more satisfied when they think about it, but are not necessarily happier in the moment. However, spending money on experiences or giving it to others is more likely to increase your happiness. 5. Social fitness is crucial for maintaining relationships Just as you exercise to keep your body healthy, the Harvard Grant Study suggests you need to practice "social fitness" to maintain relationships. This involves investing time and effort into your friendships and intimate relationships, as they are living systems that require care to grow and thrive. 6. Chronic stress can harm your brain Research by Harvard Health has shown that chronic stress can cause changes in the brain that may contribute to anxiety, depression, and addiction. Over time, repeated activation of the body's stress response can take a significant toll on both physical and psychological health. 7. Childhood trauma can affect heart health Multiple studies have shown a connection between poor mental health and increased risk of heart disease. Researchers have found that adverse experiences like childhood trauma and chronic stress can affect behavior and trigger physical changes that elevate heart risk. 8. The brain's reward system drives motivation, not just pleasure While dopamine is often associated with pleasure, Harvard research and other studies have found that its bigger role is in motivation. It is the neurochemical that pushes us to seek rewards and chase goals, rather than just enjoying the outcome.