Finding an overarching sense of happiness in life isn't always easy. Happiness isn't tangible or palpable. You can't store buy it or ask to borrow someone else's. It's an emotion that, if you are lucky enough to experience, will make you feel whole inside. Some always feel this emotion, while others don't always get this chance. As we all aspire to be happy, the real question is, how? There might not be a formula, but there has been a scientific study conducted on the best way to achieve it. Psychiatrist Robert Waldinger conducted the Harvard Study of Adult Development.

In short, the experiment consisted of hundreds of men stemming from Harvard graduates to boys living in the poorest parts of Boston. They were followed throughout their entire lives. Every five years they received physical health tests (echocardiograms, blood tests ect.) and every two years, their social lives were monitored (job satisfaction, marriage quality etc.) But through all of the questions, tests, problems these men faced, Waldinger wanted to find an answer. An answer on how to be happy.

Whether it be the Harvard graduate, or the poverty- stricken man from Boston, these men struggled throughout their lives. Some men worked their way to the top and others to the bottom. Some became CEOs and others became alcoholics. It wasn't about the success they had or even the misfortune, it was about the happiness they felt. Because where there is happiness, there is also ambition, satisfaction, gratitude and an overall sense of compassion for the world.

After all of the data was collected and analyzed, Waldinger noticed something. Happiness did not match with the money, fame, or achievements the men had. It was about the relationships. What made for a happy life was having close relationships with people, and the quality of the relationship itself. Loneliness has been found to distress the mental functioning, sleep pattern, immune system and overall well being of a person's mental and physical health. It might feel okay to be lonely sometimes but to truly feel content, it's important to find people to share your life with. Whether it be a significant other or friendships, it's about having a close and safe bond with these people you invest in.

Most importantly, though, it's about quality— not quantity. Having a few very healthy relationships in your life is far more necessary than many unsettling relationships. You don't need a lot of people in your life to feel important, just value the right ones.

In general, life will cause everyone to feel dismal and suffer hardships. But to feel your unstoppable, it's crucial to look at what company surrounds you. Having people that understand you and care about you is a gift everyone deserves and should look to keep in their life. To find that prime happiness, take a look at who you're encompassed by. Eliminate any negatively and thank the people that matter.