These 7 Habits Lead to Happiness in Old Age

Want to be as happy as possible in your 60s, 70s, 80’s, and beyond? Researchers at Harvard University tell us that 7 habits lead to happiness in old age.

(I’ll add in an 8th one of my own at the bottom of this list.)

What 7 habits lead to happiness in old age?

(Your kids need to know about this!)

In 1938 (at the height of the Great Depression), Harvard researchers began studying a group of male Harvard students—looking closely at their lifestyles, habits, relationships, work, and happiness. The research study eventually expanded to include women, and has been continually updated for over 80 years.

This research shows that these 7 habits lead to happiness in old age:

  1. Not smoking
  2. Not drinking alcohol
  3. Keeping a healthy body weight
  4. Regular exercise (for example, regular walking)
  5. Emotional resilience
  6. Education
  7. Quality relationships with others

Learn more detail about this Harvard study and its results in this Atlantic article by Arthur C. Brooks.

These 7 habits lead to happiness—but one additional habit can enhance happiness.

I’m adding in this 8th habit for the students who follow me: achieving long-term financial security through the miracle of compound interest.

You can learn why Albert Einstein called compound interest the 8th wonder of the world in this Forbes article titled The Life-Changing Magic of Compound Interest.

If you’re a teacher, make this article a reading assignment and ask your students to write about it after they read it!

If you’re a parent, help your kids grasp the concept of compound interest by using ideas in my article Your High Schooler—Excited about Saving Money in a ROTH IRA.

Who is Arthur C. Brooks?

Arthur C. Brooks is a contributing writer at The Atlantic, the William Henry Bloomberg Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, and a professor of management practice at the Harvard Business School. He’s the host of the podcast series How to Build a Happy Life and the author of From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life.

For clear, step-by-step help getting your kids through college debt-free and into jobs they love afterward, get your copy of my book:

It’s a reference book, so nobody reads the whole thing cover to cover. Pick out what you need to read in it using the fast-paced, 10-minute video instructions here.

You can see hundreds of reviews of this book on Amazon by going to:

bit.ly/burlowski

You can see why financial advising professionals love LAUNCHhere.

You can see the top 9 questions parents are asking me about LAUNCHhere.

Read just one chapter of LAUNCH every 1–3 months while your child’s in middle school and high school, and you’ll know every viable strategy for debt-free college at exactly the right time to implement it.

And if your child’s already well past middle school? That’s OK; you can run to catch up. But the process of getting your kids through college debt-free goes more smoothly the earlier you start it—especially if you’re not planning to save up any money to pay for college.

Take a step on this right now. Get regular, inspiring help from me—every Monday morning.

Subscribe to my free weekly email newsletter here.

Do you have very specific questions for me about debt-free college and career for your kids?

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Who is Jeannie Burlowski?

Jeannie is a full-time academic strategist, podcast host, and sought-after speaker for students ages 12–26, their parents, and the professionals who serve them. Her writing, speaking, and podcasting help parents set their kids up to graduate college debt-free, ready to jump directly into careers they excel at and love. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Huffington Post, USA Today, Parents Magazine, and US News and World Report, and on CBS News.

Jeannie also helps students apply to law, medical, business, and grad school at her website GetIntoMedSchool.com.

No part of this article was written using AI.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Hi, I'm Jeannie Burlowski.

I'm a full-time academic strategist, speaker, and podcast host, and I’m the author of the book LAUNCH: How to Get Your Kids Through College Debt-Free and Into Jobs They Love Afterward.

My writing, speaking, and podcasting help parents set their kids up to graduate college debt-free and move directly into careers they excel at and love.

My work has been featured in publications such as The Huffington PostUSA TodayNerdWallet, and US News and World Report, and on CBS News.

I also help students apply to law, medical, business, and grad school from my website GetIntoMedSchool.com. You can follow me on Twitter @JBurlowski.

My team and I are leading a debt-free college revolution. We hope you’ll join us.

Hi, I'm Jeannie Burlowski.

I'm a full-time academic strategist, speaker, and podcast host, and I’m the author of the book LAUNCH: How to Get Your Kids Through College Debt-Free and Into Jobs They Love Afterward.

My writing, speaking, and podcasting help parents set their kids up to graduate college debt-free and move directly into careers they excel at and love.

My work has been featured in publications such as The Huffington PostUSA TodayNerdWallet, and US News and World Report, and on CBS News.

I also help students apply to law, medical, business, and grad school from my website GetIntoMedSchool.com. You can follow me on Twitter @JBurlowski.

My team and I are leading a debt-free college revolution. We hope you’ll join us.

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