Those who feel grateful actively recognize and appreciate all of life’s positive aspects, regardless of where they come from. According to the research team, it’s this grateful perspective that triggers a series of positive effects in both the mind and body.
Showing gratitude may help extend our lifespan by improving cardiovascular health. In the study, grateful women faced a 15% lower risk of dying due to heart disease, which supports earlier research that linked gratitude to reduced inflammation, lower blood pressure, and healthier lipid profiles.
Gratitude may also promote healthier lifestyle choices, thereby enhancing longevity. Those who are grateful are more likely to eat a nutritious diet, exercise regularly, and adhere to their medications. Plus, they even tend to get a better night’s sleep.
And aside from physical health, gratitude also has the power to influence mental health. Grateful individuals often experience lower levels of anxiety and depression and frequently report having stronger support networks and social connections, which can help protect against premature death.
While the study centered around women in older age, the research team still thinks that the positive effects of being grateful apply to men and younger people, too. The best part? You can develop and enhance gratitude as a skill.
“Prior research indicates that there are ways of intentionally fostering gratitude, such as writing down or discussing what you are grateful for a few times a week,” Chen said.
“Promoting healthy aging is a public health priority, and we hope further studies will improve our understanding of gratitude as a psychological resource for enhancing longevity.”
To read the study’s complete findings, which have since been published in JAMA Psychiatry, visit the link here.
