When asked about the secret to being happy, psychologist and Nobel prize winner Daniel Kahneman revealed that it was about nurturing relationships. “It’s primarily spending time with people you love, and who love you back,” he explained. “That’s what makes people happy in the moment.” Long-term studies show that close relationships are better predictors of well-being than almost anything else.
“Good, close relationships appear to buffer us from the problems of getting old,” according to Dr. Robert Waldinger, a psychiatrist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.
If there is one study that really puts the “long” in longitudinal, it’s the Harvard Study of Adult Development. Dr. Waldinger is the current director of this study. Since 1938 this research project has followed the lives of 268 men. Fewer than 20 are still alive. The goal of the study was to find out what factors lead to healthier and happier lives. Findings indicate that the biggest key to well-being is having friends.
People who are more isolated than they want to be are less happy. The research also shows that their health declines earlier in midlife. Their brain function also declines sooner, and they do not live as long as people who are not lonely.
As we grow older our social circle tends to grow smaller but it’s when we grow old that we need more people in our lives. Our lives tend to become busier in our thirties. We start to turn down invitations to social events almost habitually. We tend to stop organising social gatherings or parties.
However, people need people. We are each other’s greatest resource.
Children need to learn how to be ‘social’ in order to have to skillset to tap into the life source of social connectivity. Bring them with you on visits. Let them mix with your adult friends and give an account of themselves. Encourage them to volunteer in their community and remind them that the more friends they have the better – friends from the year group above them, friends from the class below, friends from the other school, friends from the road and their cousins. The more friends the better…….
THREE PUBLIC SEMINARS COMING SOON
Three public seminars with psychologist Shane Martin will take place over the coming weeks at venues in DUBLIN, BELFAST and SLIGO. It has been many years since Shane has been able to organise seminars like these. Places are limited and demand will be high. It’s important to book your place as soon as possible because there are no plans for any further seminars for the foreseeable future.
BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW BY CLICKING ON APPROPRIATE LINK BELOW
BELFAST Saturday 26th October 2019 (10.15- 3.45pm) Malone Lodge Hotel & Apartments, 60 Eglantine Avenue, Belfast BT9 6DY CLICK HERE TO BOOK FOR BELFAST SEMINAR
DUBLIN Thursday, 31 October 2019 (10.15- 3.45pm) Project Room, Malahide Castle, Malahide, Co. Dublin K36 YP65 CLICK HERE TO BOOK FOR DUBLIN SEMINAR
SLIGO Saturday 2nd November 2019 (10.15- 3.45pm) Clayton Hotel (formerly Clarion), Clarion Road, Sligo F91 N8EF CLICK HERE TO BOOK FOR SLIGO SEMINAR
For all details about the seminar including timetable and content – see below
The LIVE LIFE WELL seminars provide people with an opportunity to create a space for themselves to get away from their daily stresses and strains. Participants will have an opportunity to reflect on their lives and learn what science has uncovered about becoming healthier, happier and more resilient. The focus will be on simple yet powerful practices to enhance the quality of your life.
The LIVE LIFE WELL seminars contain the best material that Shane teaches condensed into a single day. The no-nonsense practical ideas from his best selling book ‘Your Precious Life-How to Live it Well’ will be delivered in his customary animated and humourous style.
The seminar will not intrude on anyone’s privacy. There will be some discussion but no one will feel under pressure to talk. It is important to know that the seminar is for the general public and why people attend remains their own business. Often people working within the health profession attend for professional reasons. Sometimes an interest in psychology draws people to these events. However, most people attend because they want to take time-out from a busy life schedule to learn simple evidence-based strategies linked to a better quality of life.
The seminar costs €95 which is inclusive of materials and light lunch.
A deposit of €45 secures your place. The balance of €50 will be due on the day of the seminar.
TIMETABLE
The timetable for the day is as follows:
10.15.Registration
10.45-12.45 MINDING OURSELVES How to Avoid Unnecessary Stress:
We cannot avoid being stressed. Indeed, we need to experience stress in order to achieve our goals. However, many people annoy themselves needlessly about things that don’t matter. What causes this kind of stress? What can we do to alleviate it? How can we cope better with the unavoidable stresses of life? Shane will offer evidence-based explanations and remedies.
12.45 -1.45 Light lunch
1.45-2.45 LIVING LIFE WELL: How to Enhance the Quality of Lives:
Essentially, Shane introduces you to evidence-based strategies linked to greater health and happiness. This is an opportunity to step outside the circle, remove yourself from the ‘noise’ of life and consider the most important things and how we can achieve them.The hope is that the material will uplift and inspire change in your life but even more importantly inspire you to incorporate it into your home, workplace and community.
2.55-3.45 Meditation and relaxation exercises