According to a study involving nearly 50,000 older female nurses in the U.S., participants who reported higher levels of gratitude had a lower risk of premature death, particularly from heart-related causes.
The study found that the highest levels of gratitude were associated with a 9% lower risk of early death from any cause and a 15% lower risk of dying from heart disease, even after controlling for various factors.
Gratitude has been linked to lower mental distress, greater emotional well-being, improved cardiovascular health, and stronger social connections, which may contribute to longevity.
The study's lead author, Laura Kubzansky, a professor of social and behavioral sciences at Harvard Chan School, stated that the findings suggest that "gratitude may be an important contributor to overall health and well-being, particularly in older adults."
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: Newsmax, Study Finds, ScienceAlert, Drugs.com, HealthDay, La Depeche, Rue Tir, TittlePress, News Medical, Medical Xpress, FOX 41 Yakima, FOX 28 Spokane, The Fresno Bee, UPI, Harvard, US News.