Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on the blessings in our lives. And there are two kinds of thanks we can give. The first goes to the people around us. It’s thanks for a kind word or an hour of help or time spent together. The second goes to God, and it comes from trusting that He is good. Since research links gratitude with whole person health, both are worth practicing this season and beyond.
Grateful People Live Longer
In 2016, nearly 50,000 registered nurses answered a six-item gratitude questionnaire. They rated how strongly they agreed with statements such as “I have so much in life to be thankful for” and “I am grateful to a wide variety of people.” About three years later, researchers reviewed the data. The women with the highest gratitude scores had a significantly lower risk of death from any cause than the women with the lowest scores.¹
The researchers described it as the first study to look at gratitude and longevity. It shows a direct link between gratitude and a longer life. Senior study author Dr. Tyler VanderWeele of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health added an encouraging point. Gratitude, he said, is “something that anyone can do.”¹
Thankfulness Eases Stress and Builds Trust
Gratitude also affects how you think and feel. A 2025 paper on the psychology of gratitude reported that expressing thankfulness can raise life satisfaction and lower stress and anxiety. It can also help people manage negative emotions.²
The same paper describes what gratitude does between people. Expressing thanks supports open communication, strengthens trust and makes cooperation easier.² That’s the first kind of thanks in action. When you thank someone and name what they did, you’re putting this research into practice. A specific thank-you tells the other person that what they did was both seen and valued.
A Grateful Outlook Supports Resilience
The second kind of thanks goes to God. Scripture gives a reason for it that holds every day: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1, NIV). God’s goodness is constant, so there’s always a reason to thank Him. A prayer of thanks can be as simple as naming one good thing He has done.
Researchers Stephanie Bryan and Maryellen Hamilton describe gratitude as a mind-body-spirit practice that affects health and human functioning across the lifespan. In their overview, gratitude has connected effects. It can encourage caring behavior toward others, support health and build resilience. They note rising stress, anxiety, depression and social isolation in society today. Gratitude offers support that anyone can access. It costs nothing, and it can become part of daily life from childhood through adulthood.³
Giving thanks takes very little: a few honest words to a person or a prayer that names what God has done are good ways to give thanks. Research links gratitude with lower stress, stronger relationships and a longer life. And even though Thanksgiving only comes once a year, the good that gratitude does for your body, mind and spirit is available every day. This week, choose one person you’re thankful for. Thank God for them by name, then tell them why they matter to you.
The information in this article is intended for educational and inspirational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your exercise routine or health practices, especially if you are managing a medical or mental health condition.
