It’s a simple emotion.
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry highlights the potential link between gratitude and longevity among older women. Led by Ying Chen from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the research analyzed data from the Nurse’s Health Study, involving over 49,000 women with an average age of 79. Participants completed a gratitude questionnaire in 2016, which assessed their levels of gratitude based on statements like “I have so much in life to be thankful for.”
Three years later, researchers followed up to track mortality among the participants. They found that those who scored higher on the gratitude scale had a 9% lower risk of premature death from any cause compared to those with lower gratitude scores. This association was particularly strong in reducing deaths from heart disease, the leading cause among the deceased.
The study suggests that cultivating gratitude may confer health benefits, potentially extending life expectancy. Gratitude was found to protect against various causes of death, including heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, infections, and injuries. This protective effect underscores the importance of psychological factors in overall health outcomes.
Ying Chen emphasized the practical implications of the findings, suggesting that intentionally fostering gratitude—such as through regular reflection or discussion of things one is grateful for—could be beneficial for health. The study points to gratitude as a potential psychological resource that public health efforts could leverage to promote healthy aging.
Moving forward, researchers hope to delve deeper into understanding how gratitude influences health outcomes and longevity. Further studies could refine strategies for integrating gratitude-promoting practices into public health initiatives aimed at enhancing well-being in aging populations.
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