Recently there has been research that shows that those that attend religious services are healthier than those that do not. Observant individuals live longer, suffer less from chronic diseases and recover more rapidly from serious surgery. They also have a more positive attitude toward living.
It has become more and more evident that religious faith has a beneficial affect on our mental and physical status. Studies have demonstrated that those that possess religious faith:
- Have lower blood pressure;
- Have lower cancer rates;
- Are more likely to survive surgery;
- Are less likely to become depressed;
- Are less likely to commit suicide;
- Are better able to deal with chronic illnesses;
- And live longer.
Some, such as Herbert Benson, MD have conjectured that humans are biologically wired to have faith. The verdict is still out on this idea but it is clear that religious faith and prayer have important roles to play in our health.
Research on prayer has shown that those that pray or are prayed for by others recover more rapidly from surgery or serious illnesses. Larry Dorsey, MD has written extensively on this research indicating how beneficial prayer can be for all of us. In "Prayer Is Good Medicine" he has concluded that:
- Prayer does work, even across great distances;
- Asking for general guidance works better than asking for specifics;
- A compassionate, loving attitude allow prayers to be beneficial;
- Prayers are always answered but not always in the affirmative;
- Hope heals.
Prayer can be an important part of your life. It is a relationship between you and God, the universe, etc. Science is now discovering that this relationship can help us live longer, live better and live happier. If you haven’t prayed lately, give it a try. Remember, you don't have to have traditional faith to profit from a relationship with God. The most important thing is to establish a relationship that is intimate and supportive. This may be through prayer, meditation or walks in nature. Also, let that relationship bring you closer to others. Make an effort to find people of like mind and join with them. Connectedness is a vital component of our health.
Love and Live!
As humans we need to love and be loved. We need to experience the warmth and concern of spouses, children, friends and pets. But we also must love in return. Caring for others is crucial to our fully participating in the world. To reach out and share the concerns and suffering of others awakens our humanity and deepens our health at all levels. The interaction between caring and being cared for is the foundation to our mental, physical and spiritual well-being. Love is necessary for us to live fully! Without love, our bodies and minds become wounded and disconnected. Love, empathy, compassion, caring, and kindness are the qualities we must nurture in ourselves and discover in our communities. These qualities transform us. They allow us to flourish, grow and heal ourselves and one another.
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