A new study, which included nearly 50,000 participants in the United States, found that feeling grateful and appreciating life's blessings is linked to longevity.
“Previous research has shown an association between gratitude and a lower risk of mental illness and increased emotional and social well-being,” says epidemiologist Ying Chen of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “However, its association with physical health is poorly understood. Our study provides the first empirical evidence on this topic.”
In the study, participants (with an average age of 79) were asked to fill out a questionnaire to rate how grateful they were for everything in their lives, in 2016. The scientists then examined the records, collected as part of a larger project, to see how many had died by 2019.
About 4,608 people died over the three years, but those who scored highest on the gratitude scale were 9% less likely to die.
People who showed greater gratitude seemed to cope better with all causes of death, especially cardiovascular disease.
However, some experts believe there is little evidence linking gratitude to improved well-being. But intentional acts of gratitude, such as writing letters detailing what we are grateful for, have been shown to be helpful for some people, suggesting that a little gratitude may be beneficial for at least some of us.
“Previous research suggests that there are ways to intentionally foster gratitude, such as writing down or discussing what you are grateful for several times a week,” Chen says.
Previous studies have suggested that people who feel grateful are more likely to stick to healthy habits, which may be one reason for the new study's findings.
Gratitude may also help us strengthen social connections, which are also linked to living longer.
The study was published in JAMA Psychiatry.
Appreciation is key
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