Podcast: Can Gratitude Help You Live Longer?
What does it take to remain grateful during a lifetime of hardship?
We sit down with Francisco Herrera of University of Vermont Medical Center as he shares his remarkable life’s journey defined by perseverance, family and gratitude: From growing up in the Dominican Republic, helping to support his family as a child and surviving life-threatening challenges to building a career as a firefighter, investigator, health care worker, mentor and community member.
Through hunger, personal loss and professional disappointments, Francisco chose hope over anger or bitterness. His story is a powerful reminder that gratitude isn’t reserved for easy times. It’s often forged in life’s most difficult moments.
Join us for a conversation about resilience, purpose, human connection and the simple acts of kindness that can change a life.
Resources
- Gratitude enhances health, brings happiness – and may even lengthen lives (Harvard Health)
- Effect of Gratitude on Cardiovascular Health Outcomes (Journal of Positive Psychology)
- Dispositional Gratitude and Well-Being (ScienceDirect)
- Gratitude and Depression (ClinMed International Library)
- Gratitude and Health (Journal of Positive Psychology)
- Gratitude and Mortality Among Older US Female Nurses (JAMA)
About Living Healthy Together
Each week we share stories, advice and insights from those closest to care in Vermont and northern New York while exploring the local and national issues shaping health care. Catch Living Healthy Together live airing on Radio Vermont's WDEV Fridays at 1 pm.
