Habits that Rob Years
A lot of unhealthy habits can take years off our lives. Smoking is a prime example. Smoking on average takes 7 to 8 years off your life. Overeating is another bad habit that can take years off your life. Heavy drinking also has a detrimental effect on lifespan. Some habits add length and quality to our lives. Exercise is one of the main good habits. Marriage, although not a habit, also seems to extend life.
A Habit That Gives Years
An often overlooked habit that adds years to your life is religious practice. On average, people who actively practice their religion live 4 years longer. That’s huge. This often overlooked area of life is vital for our fulfillment as well as our length of days.
Faith Casts Out Fear
The belief in a higher power reduces stress and anxiety. Having faith that there is a power far greater than our own who has things under control can take a load off our minds. Especially because so much of our life is beyond our control. Faith puts the out-of-control world into the hands of the supreme being who has our best in mind. Faith gives us the ability to withstand stressful situations.
We Cooperate for Others
Religious practice also fosters cooperation. People who believe in a higher being who monitors human interactions are more likely to be cooperative. They are also less likely to act in anti-social ways. Religion promotes a selfless attitude that encourages the good of the community and discourages taking advantage of others for your own benefit. Seeking your own interest exclusively at the expense of the community destroys the fabric of society. Cooperation and self-sacrifice are keys to a healthy community.
The Mundane Becomes Meaningful
Belief in God also gives meaning to everyday life. Religion can give ordinary tasks a divine purpose. A higher being who cares about us and is present with us makes the ordinary spiritual. Without a higher purpose, life becomes mundane and futile.
Life Robbed of Meaning
A life without meaning seems not worth living. This is related to suicide, one of the leading causes of death. Actively participating in religious practice, which the researchers defined as attending service at least once a month, protected against suicide.
Share a Faith Community
Relating to a higher power helps even in the case of social isolation. People who feel connected to God tend to do better. But belief alone does not explain the benefits of religion. To get the most benefit from religion, it must be practiced as part of a religious community. The connection to community helps create social relationships, as well as a support system. This is especially important today when a family can be spread across the country.
Religious Children Are Happier
Religion is also beneficial for children. A recent Harvard study of 5,000 people found that those raised with religious practice tend to have better mental health as they get older. Those who attended services once a week as children or teens are almost 20% more likely to report being happier when they reach their 20s. They are also 30% more likely to volunteer and are 30% less likely to use drugs; an outcome all parents can support.
Faith is Optimal
For an optimal life, consider becoming active in your faith. Join your local church, synagogue, or mosque. Get religion to get lasting life.
