Robert Waldinger on making connections
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We know that getting ourselves to overcome that bit of awkwardness perhaps, and to talk to strangers, really ends up boosting our sense of belonging and connection.
As we grapple with a cost of living crisis and increasing individual isolation, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, disconnected and downcast. But what if the secrets to unlocking a happier life were right in front of you, and not that far out of reach? Through extensive research, led by distinguished Harvard researcher Robert Waldinger, studies have unearthed a profound truth: the key to a fulfilled life lies not in financial wealth or our work, but rather in the power of our relationships.
Robert Waldinger spoke in 'Robert Waldinger: Unlocking the Secret to Happiness', an event presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas in 2023.
![Robert Waldinger](/sites/default/files/2023-06/Robert%20Waldinger%20Headshot.jpg)
Robert Waldinger
Robert Waldinger is a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development at Massachusetts General Hospital, and co-founder of the Lifespan Research Foundation. Dr Waldinger received his AB from Harvard College and his MD from Harvard Medical School. He is a practicing psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, and he directs a psychotherapy teaching program for Harvard psychiatry residents. He is also a Zen master (Roshi) and teaches meditation in New England and around the world. Robert is the co-author, with Marc Schulz, of the book The Good Life: Lessons From the World’s Longest Scientific Study on Happiness.