The effects of recession can feel pretty painful today, but they might mean that many of us will live longer, healthier lives.

Researchers have recently published a study in The Lancet journal that documents how quickly life expectancy is increasing: More than half of babies now born in the U.K. and other wealthy nations will live to at least 100 years. What’s more is that the study shows that the extra years will be spent with less serious disability.

Of course, life expectancy has been steadily increasing for decades and doesn’t show signs of slowing any time soon. So what does the recession have to do with it?

A University of Michigan study recently found that during the Great Depression, U.S. life expectancy jumped a remarkable 6.2 years, from 57.1 years in 1929 to 63.3 years in 1932. By the same token, mortality increased and life expectancy declined during periods of economic expansion.

“The finding is strong and counterintuitive,” said Tapia Granados, the lead author of the study and a researcher at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research.

But it actually makes quite a bit of sense: Work hours are longer and more intense during periods of economic growth, leaving employees with less time to sleep and perform their leisure activities. Economic expansion is also associated with increases in pollution, and during recession, people have less money to spend on things like alcohol and tobacco.

So when the bank accounts and work opportunities dwindle and the media bombards the population with grim news of our economic futures – take a moment to toast to your health.