At the VanderWeele household, a ritual is observed several nights a week during dinner with his family. They take a moment to express gratitude for various aspects of their lives—a practice that Tyler VanderWeele, co-director of the Initiative on Health, Spirituality, and Religion at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, believes positively impacts their family life.
"I believe it does make a difference and can be a powerful routine," VanderWeele notes. "Even on tough days, this practice is valuable."
The Impact of Gratitude on Health and Lifespan
What influence can gratitude have on our well-being? Recent studies have shown that gratitude can have numerous positive effects on health, such as improved emotional and social health, enhanced sleep, reduced risk of depression, and better cardiovascular health indicators. Furthermore, new findings from the Nurses' Health Study suggest that gratitude might also increase life expectancy.
"Gratitude is one of the most extensively researched contributors to well-being, yet we were surprised to find no previous studies examining its impact on mortality and longevity," says VanderWeele, co-author of the study.
Study Focus
The study, published in July 2024 in JAMA Psychiatry, analyzed data from 49,275 women in the Nurses' Health Study, with an average age of 79. In 2016, participants responded to a six-item gratitude questionnaire, rating their agreement with statements like "I have much to be grateful for in life," and "If I were to list everything I'm grateful for, it would be extensive."
After four years, researchers reviewed the medical records of the participants to identify deaths. There were 4,608 deaths from various causes, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, infections, and injuries, with cardiovascular disease being the most common.
Research Findings
Participants with the highest gratitude scores at the beginning of the study had a 9% lower risk of death over the next four years compared to those with the lowest scores. This correlation remained even after accounting for physical health, economic status, and other mental health and well-being factors. Gratitude appeared to protect against all causes of death studied, including cardiovascular disease.
"What does this mean?"
"A 9% reduction in mortality risk is significant but not drastic," VanderWeele comments. "The remarkable thing about gratitude is its accessibility. Anyone can acknowledge the positive aspects of their life and express thanks."
While the study did not determine why gratitude is linked to a longer life, VanderWeele suggests several contributing factors.
"We know gratitude promotes happiness, which slightly affects mortality risk," he says. "Gratitude might also motivate individuals to care for their health, perhaps by attending medical appointments or exercising more regularly. It may also improve relationships and social support, both of which are known to benefit health."
Study Limitations and Strengths
The study's observational nature means it cannot prove that gratitude extends life—it only indicates a correlation. The specific group analyzed is both a