“The Big Picture”

Religion and spirituality are vitally important to most people. In fact some 90% of the world’s population engages in religious and spiritual practices. For the other 10%, some appreciation of the “Big Picture” – the size and wonder of the Cosmos – is invaluable.

For most of these people, religion and spirituality are especially important in coping with stress and illness. When faced with health challenges or life crises, whether their own or those of loved ones, most people the world over call on their religion for help and support. Research evidence suggests that these people do in fact feel comforted and are more likely to also be happier and healthier.
However, the kind of religious involvement makes a big difference. In general, people tend to feel better and be psychologically healthier when they are involved in religious communities that emphasize qualities such as love and forgiveness, rather than focusing on themes of guilt, sin, and punishment.

What kinds of health benefits do people receive? Research demonstrates both physical and mental health benefits. Mentally, people with regular religious-spiritual practices are less likely to suffer from psychological difficulties such as anxiety and depression or drug and alcohol abuse. They are also likely to be psychologically healthier and happier, to be more resilient, and to have better relationships and marriages.

Regular religious and spiritual practices are also associated with better physical health. Such people tend to have fewer specific health problems such as high blood pressure and to be in better physical shape overall. One of the most remarkable of all research findings is that people who attend religious services weekly tend to live an average of SEVEN YEARS longer than those who don’t.