A new study from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, finds that expressing gratitude can protect heart health.
Participants who showed the most gratitude during the study had a lower risk of experiencing a heart attack over the next four to nine years.
How the Study Was Conducted
Psychologist Brian Livy, the lead author of the study, says the findings add to evidence that “positive emotions, such as gratitude, are linked to better health outcomes, particularly in strengthening cardiovascular health.”
The study included 912 people with an average age of 57. Initially, they were asked to respond to the statement, “I have a lot to be thankful for in my life.” They also indicated how grateful they felt toward a “wide range of people,” as reported by the Daily Mail. To raise stress levels, volunteers were then asked to complete arithmetic and color-word tests. If participants did not answer quickly, the response was marked incorrect.
What the Researchers Discovered
The researchers analyzed the test results and then monitored the participants’ health over the next nine years.
Volunteers who expressed high levels of gratitude toward events and people in their lives — and whose heart rates rose during the stress tests — were less likely to have heart attacks. This matters because heart rate is linked to heart attack risk.
The authors suggest that people who put more effort into stressful situations also tend to be more grateful. They may be less vulnerable to stress, content with what they have, and more inclined toward healthier lifestyles, which could reduce their risk of a heart attack.
The analysis found that the most grateful people were less likely to suffer a heart attack, regardless of age, body mass index, or smoking status.
The study appears in the journal Biological Psychology.
