The Secret to Happiness—According to Science

Humans are known as the 'ultra social' species. And the world's longest running study has found that good relationships are the number one predictor of physical and mental health.

Over a staggering 80 years, Harvard University has followed people's lives. The study has discovered that people in reliable relationships live longer, have better physical health and even better memory retention as they age.

'We are absolutely wired to be social,' agrees Just a Thought Clinical Lead Anna Elders. 'Even a simple hug, for example, triggers the calming hormone oxytocin, and that hug will also help reduce blood pressure.'

The first step to building good relationships is to look at our own belief systems. 'When we see ourselves as being lovable and others as potentially trustworthy, we will put ourselves out there to create relationships.'