For some time now, the idea of keeping a daily gratitude journal has been gaining ground as a way of improving wellbeing and being more optimistic. Now, researchers from the Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health have gone one step further, suggesting that experiencing gratitude may also have a positive impact on our physical health.
“Prior research has shown an association between gratitude and lower risk of mental distress, and greater emotional and social wellbeing. However, its association with physical health is less understood,” said lead author Ying Chen of the Department of Epidemiology.
“Our study provides the first empirical evidence on this topic, suggesting that experiencing gratitude may increase longevity among older adults.”
To reach this conclusion, the experts analysed data from a large national survey featuring 49,275 women with an average age of 79. In 2016, these women completed a questionnaire on their levels of gratitude, which included agreeing or disagreeing with certain statements, such as having many things to be grateful for in life.
In 2019, the scientists identified deaths among the participants, noting all-cause mortality plus specific causes like cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease, infection, injury or neurodegenerative disease.
Published in the journal Jama Psychiatry, the research reports 4,608 deaths during the follow-up period, mainly from cardiovascular disease. But above all, the researchers observed a lower risk of all-cause mortality (-9%) among participants who claimed to feel the most gratitude, compared with those who felt the least.
The experts also point out that experiencing gratitude appeared to be protective against every specific cause of mortality studied, most significantly against cardiovascular disease.
“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,” Ying Chen added.
“Promoting healthy ageing is a public health priority, and we hope further studies will improve our understanding of gratitude as a psychological resource for enhancing longevity.”