Let the world spice up your life.

Tutor Kara Bird 's Column

What makes you happy? Lessons from a TED Talk on happiness.

Apr 12, 2021

What makes you happy?
Is it work? Making progress in your career? Earning money to buy things you need and want?
Is it family? Spending time with your loved ones and making memories?
Is it a hobby? Do you enjoy playing soccer, painting or cooking?

In his TED talk, Robert Waldinger explores this idea by talking about the longest study ever on the topic of happiness. In this study, researchers interviewed hundreds of men regularly for over 70 years. They concluded that:
1. Relationships are the most important thing in life
2. The quality of relationships is important, not just the number of relationships
3. Relationships are good for the body and the brain

This TED talk is full of great advice for living a happy life. I recommend watching it and asking yourself how you can improve your relationships to live the happiest life possible.

Useful vocabulary:

lean in (verb): to work very hard in a particular area to acheive a goal
climb the social ladder (phrase): to change your social position
toxic (adjective): poisonous, dangerous, harmful
count on (verb): to trust or rely on someone
liven up (verb): to make something more exciting or interesting
stale (adjective): boring
hold a grudge (phrase): to refuse to forgive someone for something they did
take a toll (phrase): to have a serious or bad effect on someone

Would you like to discuss this TED talk further? Or are you interested in watching other TED talks? If so, I recommend my lesson Learn English with TED Talks.

This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.