It is well known that people who are more grateful experience higher levels of well-being. Grateful people are happier, less stressed, and more content with their lives and social relationships. People who maintain a sense of gratitude also have higher levels of control in their lives, as well as sustained personal growth, and acceptance of their self. They have positive methods of coping with the challenges that arise, being more likely to accept support from others, able to re-frame situations and grow from the difficulty, and give more time to planning how to deal with it. Grateful people are also less prone to using negative coping strategies, including avoidance and denial, self blame, or using substances. Grateful people sleep well, and this is because they are less inclined to think in negative terms. They will experience more positivity in their thoughts in the moments before going to sleep.

Healthy emotions and character traits are important to wellness, although it is probable that gratitude may be of unique importance. Studies show that people who have more gratitude cope better with life transitions. People who are more grateful are less stressed, less depressed, and more satisfied with their relationships. Gratitude may have a unique relationship with well-being, and can explain aspects of well-being that other personality traits cannot.

It is probable that had Stalin, Hitler or other historical goons had a sense of gratitude there would be less suffering in this sorry world.