Does work make you sad? This survey could reveal why!

After all, what brings us happiness? This question was the basis for a Harvard University study that lasted more than 85 years. The study had one goal: to follow the lives of 700 people. And this was indeed achieved.

Logically, the study changed hands over the years, as it began to follow more people. This is because the initial volunteers found partners and had children, who also began to be followed by the research – with permission, of course.

The study, which began in 1938, monitored participants’ psychological and physical states during periods of stress and happiness. It was then that the fourth director of the study, Professor Robert Waldinger, published a book using the information from the study. This book was called “The Good Live.”

In it, Waldinger explains that the true way to achieve happiness is through relationships. Many researchers before Waldinger and the other three directors of the research had already stated that human beings are social beings, so interaction with other people is what gives meaning to life.

It is important to emphasize here that, even though romantic relationships are very important to people, when we talk about happiness, these relationships are not limited to just romantic relationships, as we also have friendships and family ties.

Logically, our romantic partner is the one with whom we will share a good part of our life. However, these are not the only partners we have in life, or that we will have.

So the question remains: what about work? How do we achieve happiness in our work?

Research on happiness and its relationship with work

It’s quite simple really. If the conclusion of the research was that our happiness comes from interacting with other people, then jobs that bring us closer to our loved ones tend to bring us more satisfaction.

It’s obvious that the work environment is often a stressful place, but having a friend/colleague to talk to or complain about a situation brings us more peace of mind.

Therefore, the opposite is also true, that is, jobs that isolate us socially will bring greater unhappiness. This is the case of a night shift without company, for example.

The point here is that, regardless of your role or job, the important thing is to seek company. It doesn’t have to be a lot of company, just have someone to share your troubles with.