For thousands of years, gratitude has been considered one of the most virtuous acts of living a good life. As Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero noted, “gratitude is not only the greatest of virtue, but the parent of all others.”
While the act of giving thanks may be an age-old ritual, the science of gratitude has only been around for about a quarter of a century. Using gratitude as an intervention to boost well-being really began to gain traction with the emergence of positive psychology.
In his groundbreaking book Authentic Happiness, Martin Seligman, Ph.D. claimed gratitude is one of the most measurable “strengths of character.”
The methods he and other researchers used to measure the effects of gratitude included gratitude journals, personal gratitude letters, or listing three great things you are grateful for each day. The results not only boosted happiness, but also improved sleep, reduced stress, and provided more energy.
What’s New in Gratitude
More than two decades later, the research into this powerful practice continues expanding to cover more populations, using greater science and new ways to apply it to everyday life.
Here are four new studies proving gratitude still rules when it comes to happiness:
1. Gratitude May Help You Live Longer
A 2024 study by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suggests expressing gratitude may help extend our lives as we age. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 50,000 women in the Nurses’ Health Study and found that those who reported the highest levels of gratitude had a 9% lower risk of death compared to those who practiced gratitude the least. Being grateful was even linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. This study may be one of the first to show strong evidence that gratitude can be a protective factor to health aging.
2. Make Gratitude Easy
Practicing gratitude doesn’t have to be complicated. A recent study using a guided gratitude app for young adults found that gratitude may work best when it is simple and easy. The participants of the study were given short daily prompts, such as “Who helped you today?” or “What surprised you in a good way?” These micro-acts of gratitude seemed to fare better for younger people than writing out long journal entries. Just reading the prompts help shift the mind toward a positive mindset.
3. Gratitude Grows When Shared
Gratitude works great when we practice it alone, but research suggests that when practiced in a group setting, it may even be more effective. A 2024 study published in Frontiers in Psychology examined the role of social processes in gratitude interventions for adolescents and found that simple individual journaling may not be as impactful for youth compared to when they practice gratitude in a more group-based, interactive setting. When young people shared what they were grateful for in a group, it seemed to strengthen connection, trust, and emotional well-being. This is even true for those who just witnessed someone else express gratitude.
4. Gratitude Cultivates Connection
A 2025 study published in the International Journal of Indian Psychology found that eight weeks of gratitude journaling led to significant increases in altruism, forgiveness, and resilience in undergraduate students. Participants used the “three good things” method to write down what they were grateful for each day. The results showed that this simple act of gratitude helped students overcome challenges during periods of transition and change, ultimately improving their well-being and prosocial behavior.
The ongoing research into gratitude reinforces the long-standing belief that it is great for our happiness and well-being. When practiced consistently, these low-cost, simple acts can add up to real and lasting results. It doesn’t matter our age, culture, or life stage, gratitude is a gift we can offer the world that also gives back to us.
