The 80yrs+ research from Harvard Medical School is showing unequivocally that people in secure relationships have better cardiovascular health, stronger immune systems, lower mortality rates from cancer, and less depression and anxiety, and are able to face day-to-day challenges with more emotional resilience.

According to Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of the study and professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, “The surprising finding is that our relationships and how happy we are in our relationships has a powerful influence on our health.  The study revealed that meaningful relationships protect people from life’s discontents, help to delay mental and physical decline, and are better predictors of long and happy lives than social class, IQ, or even genes”.