11/19/2025
Can gratitude help you live longer?
Research shows that in addition to having a positive emotional and psychological impact on our lives, gratitude can also have a positive physical impact. Studies are on-going, but practicing gratitude generally makes you feel better in the moment and appears to positively impact our brain, body, and spirit.
People who practice gratitude tend to share specific traits and habits that may include the following:
- They are truly grateful for people, not just things.
- They are precise in their thanks. They don’t just say “I love you,” they take the time to explain why.
- They think outside the box. When something bad happens, they remember it’s important to flip the situation on its head and look for something good among the bad.
- They feel grateful for small things and complete positive tasks, such as keeping a daily gratitude journal, writing thank-you notes, or meditating on the good they receive.
Living with an “attitude of gratitude” will enhance the upcoming Thanksgiving season. This attitude also helps those closest to us feel grateful to be a part of our lives.
Source: “How Gratitude Can Help You Live Longer,” by Nicola Bridges, published by The Fine Line.
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