Gratitude can feel like a buzzword, but it’s a practice that can have a significant impact on our brains, bodies and overall well-being.
In fact, a study published earlier this year in JAMA Psychiatry found that practicing gratitude may even lengthen lives.
What is gratitude?
“In its simplest form, gratitude is the act of feeling grateful for what you have – people, events, circumstances or even intangibles such as good health or personal growth,” Dr. Chris Mosunic, Calm’s Chief Clinical Officer, told FOX Television Stations.
Calm is a meditation, sleep and relaxation app to help with mental wellness.
“(Gratitude) is also an act of mindfulness – a moment to take a deep breath, slow your mind down, and actively focus on the good in your life.”
Gratitude study findings
The recent gratitude study looked at health data from nearly 50,000 female registered nurses aged 79 and older who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study from 2016-2019.
Part of the health data they submitted was a psychological 6-item gratitude questionnaire.
Four years later, researchers analyzed medical records to see which nurses had since died, and found that those who scored more favorably on the gratitude questionnaire had a 9% lower hazard of death from any cause than those who scored unfavorably.
Finding moments of gratitude
While many people focus on all they are thankful for during the holiday, Artist Nichole Rae shares how to practice finding moments of gratitude everyday.
“The findings suggest that the experience of grateful affect is associated with increased longevity among older adults,” study authors wrote.
“A 9% reduction in mortality risk is meaningful, but not huge,” Tyler VanderWeele, a co-author of the research, told Harvard Health Publishing. “But what’s remarkable about gratitude is that just about anyone can practice it. Anyone can recognize what’s around them and express thanks to others for what’s good in their life.”
Ways to practice gratitude
You can practice gratitude in your mind, with a pen and paper or digitally on your phone or tablet.
Gratitude is said to be like a muscle, meaning the more you use it and practice it, the easier it becomes.
You could start small by writing down or making a mental note of one thing you’re grateful for each week, and eventually go bigger by reflecting or naming multiple items per day.
Journals with specific gratitude prompts are available, as well as apps that send notification reminders.
The Source: Information in this article was used from a study published in JAMA Psychiatry in July 2024, which analyzed data from 49,275 older American female nurses who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study from 2016 to 2019. Quotes on gratitude were taken from a previous FOX Television station interview with Dr. Mosunic. This story was reported from Detroit.
