Want to be Happy? Build Strong Social Relationships
There is one—and only one—characteristic that distinguishes the happiest 10 percent from everyone else: the strength of their social relationships. My empirical study of well-being among 1,600 Harvard undergraduates found a similar result—social support was a far greater predictor of happiness than any other factor, more than GPA, family income, SAT scores, age, gender, or race. . . .  more social support you have, the happier you are. . . . If you do one thing today to be happier, spend time with friends.
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