Longevity by Jennifer Cox Do you consider yourself to be a spiritual person? If so, you may just live a longer life because of it. More andmore studies are being done on whether the two things are linked, and they’re proving that those who are religious and attend different religious institutions on a regular basis, those who pray, and those who generally consider themselves to be spiritual, live longer and more fruitful lives. This is due, in part, to a feeling of belonging. The Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences published a report which found that people who attended religious services at least once a week were 46 per cent less likely to die during the six-year study. People who attended religious services or had a spiritual component to their lives were less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, had lower blood pressure and, therefore, fewer strokes. Oftentimes, religions encourage a lifestyle in which moderation is key, which is another contributor to a long life. It has been proven that those who have strong religious beliefs often tend to smoke and drink less, and this would obviously improve overall well-being. WebMD also pointed out that religious beliefs may improve a person’s ability to cope with the everyday stresses of life and the difficulties of aging, given that they have a support network through their church, synagogue, spiritual group, etc. This sense of belonging can ward off feelings of sadness or loneliness, another threat to our mortality as we age. In the end, our social ties to our religious institution have an enormous effect on our lifespan…in a good way. Two of the most comprehensive studies on the topic of longevity and religion came out of the JAMA Internal Medicine (a peer-reviewed medical journal published monthly by the AmericanMedical Association) andPLOS One(a peer-reviewed open access scientific journal published by the Public Library of Science). The former found that women who went to a religious service more than once a week had a 33% lower chance than their secular peers of dying during the 16-year study follow-up period, and the latter revealed that regular service attendance was linked to reductions in the body’s stress responses. In fact, worshippers were 55% less likely to die during the up-to-18-year follow-up period than people who didn’t frequent the temple, church or mosque (Time). Because many religions involve quiet reflection, prayer or meditation, these are known to be beneficial to a person’s general well-being, too. Therefore, these stress-reducing practices can add to a person’s longevity and, in the end, religion gets the credit for this. There are many advantages to being spiritually connected to something. It encourages a calm, mindful way of life, in which moderation is key and support among practitioners is life-saving. While it may not be the religion or belief itself that is adding the years to our lives, it is the experiences of being spiritual that are so beneficial. LONGEVITY and spirituality 42 | www.snowbirds.org
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