{"id":135,"date":"2012-03-30T09:00:45","date_gmt":"2012-03-30T09:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/happyhaven\/?p=135"},"modified":"2012-04-03T19:01:42","modified_gmt":"2012-04-03T19:01:42","slug":"religion-spirituality-the-duo-that-could-save-your-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/happyhaven\/2012\/03\/30\/religion-spirituality-the-duo-that-could-save-your-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Religion & Spirituality: The Duo That Could Save Your Life"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
{flickr photo by Lel4nd}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With Easter fast approaching, you may have chocolate bunnies<\/del>\u00a0religion on your mind. And if so, that might be a good thing especially for your health.<\/p>\n

Why?<\/em><\/p>\n

In, “Lifestyle and Mental Health<\/a>” an article published in the\u00a0American Psychologist\u00a0<\/em>, Roger Walsh, M.D., PhD. says nearly 90% of the world participate in some form of religious or spiritual practice. “Considerable research suggests a complex but usually\u00a0bene\ufb01cial relationship between religious involvement and\u00a0mental health.” This is particularly true when love and forgiveness rather than punishment and guilt are emphasized.<\/p>\n

Some of the mental health benefits include reduction of the incidence of depression, anxiety, substance abuse and suicide. And also an improvement in relationships and better psychological well-being.<\/p>\n

And yet it’s not just good for your emotional health, but it’s great for your health general.<\/strong><\/em> Research has shown that people who attend religious services at least once a week live a whopping seven years longer than those who don’t. Spiritual practices including meditation has also been found to offer both physical and psychological benefits.<\/p>\n

Of course, individuals who commit to a life of religious and spiritual devotion aren’t doing so solely for their benefit. But it looks like it’s an unintentional and significant consequence.<\/p>\n

Anyone can attest to the positive impact religion and spirituality has had on their life. Personally, it has opened me up to possibilities when I thought there were none and taught me the power of love and gratitude over fear and anxiety.<\/p>\n

Have you noticed a shift in your own health as you have become more involved in spiritual and religious practices? What was the unexpected gift it brought to you?<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With Easter fast approaching, you may have chocolate bunnies\u00a0religion on your mind. And if so, that might be a good thing especially for your health. Why? 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