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Writing in your gratitude journal every day can help you live longer, study shows
Studies have determined plenty of factors that can increase our lifespan – a particular state of being is one of them. If you wish to live a longer life, you might as well enjoy it.
Sources unrelated to the study, such as the Harvard Health blog, also encourage people to enjoy little things in life to be happy and content.
Being thankful can make live longer, show study
The survey published on the JAMA network featuring the data obtained from the Nurses Health Study reveals that older women who practice gratitude daily experienced a lower risk of mortality.
The study included nearly 50,000 women aged between 69 and 96. They had to complete a six-item gratitude questionnaire in 2016.
The researchers determined percentage of women with highest and lowest feelings of gratitude based on their response to statements such as, “I have so much in life to be thankful for and I am grateful to a wide variety of people.”
Upon reviewing the data three years later, the researchers found that women with highest level of gratitude experienced 9% lower risjok of death of any cause.
“This study provides the first empirical evidence suggesting that experiencing grateful affect is associated with increased longevity among older adults,” the results state.
Harvard Health blog notes that ” gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness.” and makes people feel “more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.”
How to practice gratitude daily
Unlike giving up on unhealthy habits such as quitting smoking which can be hard or cutting down on ultra-processed foods to live longer, practicing gratitude is easier to cultivate.
All you have to do is be thankful to little things in life that add value and express gratitude for everything that you have rather than feel bad about what you don’t. You can do this in a number of ways.
You can write a thank you note to your loved on. Letting someone know the impact of their presence in your life can strengthen your social bond and spark meaningful relationships.
Or, you can thank someone in your mind and still feel grateful for having them in your life. The more conventional ways would be to maintain a gratitude journal, pray and meditate to practice to mindfulness and focus on the moment.
