TOP OF PAGE 6. Why is a spiritual or religious practice important to my mental health?
Studies have shown that people who are involved in some active spiritual or religious practice live longer, suffer from fewer serious and life-threatening illnesses including depression and anxiety disorders, and when ill, often have less severe symptoms and recover quicker than those without an active spiritual or religious practice in their lives. Something about prayer, meditation and other spiritual pursuits affects immune function and vulnerability to disease. While we don’t understand all the reasons for this, we know it happens. The more you can include a spiritual or religious dimension in your life, the healthier you will probably be.
