You may have experienced the positive impacts of faith in your own life. Maybe you feel better or calmer after prayer or meditation. Or when you spend time in your faith community, you feel emotionally recharged and spiritually nourished.
Growing research indicates that faith — whether through an organized system of religion or personal spirituality — has numerous health benefits. Faith can positively impact our physical health, our mental health and our quality of life. In his book “Medicine, Religion, and Health: Where Science and Spirituality Meet,” Harold Koenig, MD, notes the following:It appears that psychological and social factors influence the physiological systems of the body that are directly responsible for good health and the ability to fight disease.
Therefore, if religious/spiritual involvement can be shown to enhance psychological health and social interactions, it is reasonable to hypothesize that religious factors may improve physical health as well, doing so by reducing psychological stress, increasing social support and encouraging positive health behaviors. Physical Health Benefits Improved Cardiovascular Health One study found that Black Americans who engaged in religious activities or had spiritual perspectives have better measures of overall heart health, including lower blood pressure. Lower Pain Levels One study reported that patients with advanced cancer who read or listened to spiritual writings reported lower pain levels, increased hope and a greater sense of well-being.
Mental Health Benefits Lower Rates of Depression People who identified with a religious group exhibited fewer depressive symptoms. And those who engaged in private prayer exhibited a significantly decreased frequency of depression. Those with a greater level of spirituality experienced less lifetime depression and fewer suicidal thoughts and behaviors, alcohol use disorders and incidents of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Reduced Stress Spiritual practices like prayer and meditation can activate our body’s relaxation response, reducing the production of stress hormones like cortisol. Improved Quality of Life Patients with advanced stages of cancer who experienced high spiritual well-being exhibited more positive mood states, higher self-esteem and an overall better quality of life. Religiosity and spirituality were also positively associated with improved health habits.
Those who reported that they follow a religion or have a spiritual life showed more physical activity, healthier diets, and decreased reports of smoking and risky sexual behavior. Belonging to a faith community also increases our social connections and ties, decreasing feelings of loneliness. The Influence of Health Care Providers Medical providers should recognize the importance of religion and spirituality in their patients' care.
Health care professionals who encourage patients to search for meaning in difficult circumstances may help improve their patients’ quality of life. Focusing on a patient’s spirituality and spiritual needs can positively affect their health-related quality of life, mental health and life expectancy, as having a strong personal religious belief produces benefits to one’s health over the long term. Conclusion The positive impact of faith on health is profound and multifaceted.
Many researchers are finding a link between faith, medical outcomes and quality of life. These outcomes are worth considering for yourself on your journey toward feeling whole. Sources: The Trust Transformation - Advent Health Press, Michigan State University, NIH, Association for Psychological Science, Harvard T.