To Be Happier, Create a "Moai"

By now you may have heard about research results confirming that surrounding yourself with positive people can make you healthier and happier (Tweet it!)  (https://bit.ly/1qciYSS). But how can you enhance your exposure to these “glass half full” types?
 

Dan Buettner, a National Geographic fellow and author, has studied the health habits of people who live in so-called blue zones — regions of the world where people live far longer than the average. He noted that positive friendships are a common theme in the blue zones. But such relationships are not necessarily left to chance.

In Okinawa, Japan, a place where the average life expectancy for women is around 90, the oldest in the world, people form a social network called a moai — a group of five friends who offer social, logistic, emotional and even financial support for a lifetime. “It’s a very powerful idea,” Mr. Buettner told The New York Times (https://nyti.ms/2A42NDv). “Traditionally, their parents put them into moais when they are born, and they take a lifelong journey together.”

Mr. Buettner is working with federal and state health officials, including the former United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, to create moais in two dozen cities around the country. Want to create your own? The key to building a successful moai is to start with people who have similar interests, passions and values.

If you’re not sure about the impact the people around you are having, the Blue Zone team has created a quiz to help you assess the positive impact of your own social network.
 
Do you believe you have positive people around you, and how would you describe their effect on you? Do you believe you make a positive impact on others? To join the conversation, click "comments" above.
 
If you would like to read more about creating a habit around masterful communication, check out our book: Be Quiet, Be Heard: The Paradox of Persuasion

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