Have you noticed every bookstore seems to have a corner dedicated to the topic of “How to be happy?”

No question, every one of us would like to know what the key to a good life is. That’s why it sells books.

Probably the most famous scientific study to define what predicts happiness and healthy aging began in 1938 and continues today. The Harvard “Grant” study started with 268 “normal” well-adjusted male sophomore students, and it has followed their stories all these years. The survivors are now about 90 years old and are still under observation.

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Of course, these were Harvard boys, mostly with silver spoons in their mouths — and they were not normal.

Many achieved dramatic successes. One was a best-selling novelist, four ran for the U.S. Senate, one served on a presidential cabinet, and one of the students, John F. Kennedy, was president. Still, one-third of the men in the study experienced significant mental illness and alcoholism in their lifetimes. Indeed, they were perhaps not “normal” in accomplishments, but certainly normal in experiencing tragedy.

There have been lessons gleaned from this research worth remembering, however. Cholesterol, IQ, and childhood temperament have nothing to do with healthy aging, while smoking, alcohol abuse and depression all have a major negative effect on physical health.

In contrast, results encouraged getting a good education, having a stable marriage, and, of course, developing caring relationships, especially with siblings. In addition, researchers found regular exercise predicted mental health. One analyst said what mattered the most had to do with how these men coped and defended themselves against life’s pain and loss. 

I read this to one friend and he suggested, “Pets sure help.” Another advised, “You’ve got to have faith.” Still another said, “You need someone to love, enough to eat, and work to keep you busy. That’s it.”  

That’s what should be in a book.