Garmin has revealed the initial findings from a landmark global study conducted with researchers from Harvard University and the University of Oxford, aimed at understanding what drives happiness and wellbeing. Announced on 20 March in conjunction with the International Day of Happiness, the Health and Happiness Study is one of the first large-scale efforts to use smartwatch and smartphone data to explore the relationship between daily habits and emotional wellbeing.
As the exclusive smartwatch provider for the study, Garmin plays a key role by supplying advanced wearables equipped with health monitoring features such as ECG, heart rate variability (HRV), stress tracking, and sleep monitoring. These tools allow researchers to collect high-quality sensor data and analyse how factors like physical activity and rest contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness.
The study’s pilot phase was launched at the Lugano Happiness Forum in Switzerland on 18 June 2024. It is being led by the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in collaboration with the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, the University of Warwick, the University of Saskatchewan, Avicenna, and Garmin. With early phases now completed, the study is expanding to involve over 10,000 participants from around the world.
Early findings show link between daily habits and wellbeing
The pilot revealed several notable findings. Data showed a strong correlation between daily physical activity and happiness, with individuals who exercised more and had adequate sleep also reporting lower stress levels. This data was measured directly through Garmin smartwatches.
The study also noted differences in emotional stability across age groups. Older adults appeared more emotionally stable throughout the day, while younger adults showed greater mood swings. Meanwhile, participants reported feeling happiest when engaging in cultural or social activities, eating, or spending time with friends and family.
Surveys were sent to participants’ smartphones three times daily, asking them to rate their happiness at that moment and note the activity they were doing just before. These self-assessments were then matched against smartwatch data to provide a richer understanding of how various behaviours impact mental health.
The research also reported high retention rates during the pilot phase, suggesting that participants found value in regularly monitoring their emotions and behaviours.
Susan Lyman, Garmin’s Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing, said: “As a collaborator on more than 1,000 research studies and clinical trials, the Garmin Health team is uniquely positioned to provide smartwatches with excellent battery performance, high-quality sensors and dynamic API or SDK integration for monitoring and reporting. We are honoured to work with academic researchers at Harvard University and the University of Oxford on this groundbreaking study to better understand the intersection of happiness and health.”
Expanding global reach and future research goals
Now in its next phase, the Health and Happiness Study aims to grow its reach and refine its insights. The team plans to recruit over 10,000 participants globally, relying on Garmin’s wearable technology to continue tracking vital health data in real time.
Principal investigator Micah Kaats of Harvard University highlighted Garmin’s contribution to the study: “The Health and Happiness Study is thrilled to work with Garmin as our exclusive smartwatch collaborator. Garmin’s unique combination of advanced wearable technology, a health-conscious user base, and a strong commitment to improving lives through data makes them the ideal partner for this groundbreaking research. By leveraging Garmin’s capabilities, we aim to overcome the recruitment and retention challenges that have hindered similar studies and uncover new insights into the drivers of mental health and wellbeing.”
The study remains open for new applicants, with researchers aiming to gather more data and uncover trends that could help shape public health policies, mental health support, and product development worldwide.
