Harvard Research Reveals Major Benefits From Having An Attitude Of Gratitude

It’s easy to feel dejected and even bitter when life just doesn’t seem to be going as planned. But making a conscious effort to remain grateful even in the face of trials can have huge positive implications.

That’s the takeaway from a new report published by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

What the science shows

This isn’t the first time that researchers have attempted to quantify the benefits of gratitude, but it goes further than previous efforts by focusing on both mental and physical aspects.

“Our study provides the first empirical evidence on this topic, suggesting that experiencing grateful affect may increase longevity among older adults,” concluded lead author Ying Chen.

The team responsible for the study began in 2016 with a group of nearly 50,000 women with an average age of 79 who self-reported their levels of gratefulness.

Several years later, researchers looked at the mortality rate from the overall group and found that those who previously said they had a lot to be thankful for were at a significantly lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other terminal ailments.

Keeping things fair

Digging into the specifics, the study determined that those in the top third of the gratitude scale were 9% less likely to die from any cause than those in the bottom third.

While the findings of the report might be compelling, it’s important to note that there could be other factors at play in the lives of the participants. That’s why the study also considered lifestyle, medical history, demographics, and other factors that could have otherwise skewed the results.

If you want to experience the benefits, Chen recommended “intentionally fostering gratitude” in your life, such as writing down or discussing things you’re grateful for on a regular basis.

Chris Agee July 5th, 2024

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