About Religion And Spirituality

Why Religion and Spirituality Matters

Humans always seek meaning for life on earth and life hereafter. We believe there is a higher power that is responsible for all the answers we are looking for. And we refer to religion and our spirituality as the very foundation of all these. 

Religion and spirituality have deeper meaning and effect on humans. And all of these have positive effects on mental health. With religion and spirituality, here are the effects humans receive:

Social Connection 

Being in the same religious group and having spirituality give you a sense of belonging. When you believe in the same things, you feel as one with other people. Religion and spirituality promote social connection unlike any other. They are a huge bond that connects people in more ways than they can imagine. 

Belonging 

Religion and spirituality promote a sense of belonging. Since you are on the same page, you are the same. No arguments, no divided opinions. You belong because you understand in the way the other people understand it, too. 

Trust and Safety

With religion and spirituality, you always seek to be the best version of yourself. There is nothing you will do that will sabotage the goodness and the relationship you have with other people. Because you are in this group, you trust them. You know that you are safe in their company and that they will never let you down. 

Must-Visit Tourist Places In Your London Trip

Planning of things to do in London when you visit? This great and old city is a popular tourist destination because of its diverse offerings. If you are looking for some of the most popular tourist places in the city, here is our shortlist:

Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus: 1972

It is not hard to miss Piccadilly Circus, which is a square filled with bright lights and big electronic screens. It has been a busy London spot since the 17th century. Today, Piccadilly Circus is still in the heart of the West End and provides easy access to some of the city’s biggest nightclubs and theatres.

Brick Lane

Brick Lane was made famous by the book and film adaption that carries the same title. The same as it is in the book, Brick Lane is in the heart of London’s Bangladeshi community that features road signs in both English and Bengali. They also offer a variety of curry restaurants to eat something spicy.

If you love spicy food, this is the perfect location for you, and you can also visit authentic South Asian desserts if you are craving something sweet.

Chinatown

There is Chinatown in every country, and the city of London is no exemption. London’s Chinatown is located around Gerrard Street and is in between Soho and Leicester Square. It is not that difficult to find this vibrant neighbourhood because of its eye-catching red arches and Chinese lanterns.

Chinatown offers authentic Asian restaurants, supermarkets, bars, and the likes. Try the HK Diner if you love roast duck and bubble tea.

Chance To Travel Locally During This Time Of Health Crises

It is not easy to travel these days as the Covid-19 pandemic has messed up our holiday plans. However, it doesn’t mean we cannot enjoy the rest of the year.

If you want to travel this year amid the current health crisis, you will need to strictly comply with the health protocols. why not consider travelling locally? No need to travel abroad and spend two weeks on quarantine, which would just eat up all your vacation plans.

There may still be some places you haven’t been to or explored and it would be a good opportunity to see them as travel restrictions ease up.
Even if you travel locally, it does not mean that you can just go out and be like how it was before. Since our circumstances have greatly changed, it is important to know the current restrictions and guidelines implemented in the place you plan to travel.

Consider these questions before you travel. Does your government allow travelling to specific places? Is the area you are going to pack of people? What are the government guidelines for Covid-19? Will you need travel insurance? And all other questions or concerns you may have when you travel locally.

Travelling this year may be comfortable, so make sure to keep everyone safe. Since the local government has set the guidelines, it is important to follow when we go out such as wearing a mask and social distancing and others.

You can enjoy local travel places as we wait for things to get back to normal. Remember to follow the existing guidelines in your target local travel destination so you can enjoy your vacation.

Important Things To Consider When You Travel This Year

This year has been unsettling for most as most of us are stuck at home for safeguard. With local restrictions and social-distancing measures in place, we might as well hold off any travel plans we have.

If you are looking to travel this year and you are not going to violate any government restrictions, make sure to purchase insurance. Covid-19 is still a global problem so better to be safe than sorry. Thinking of travelling locally? Then, make sure to contact your local tour operators to closely monitor the situation in the place where you are travelling. It is also important to contact your airline and insurance provider and ask what coverage you can have if you go out with your plans.

With the current situation we are in now and the restrictions for travelling, make sure to follow health protocols when you visit any local travel place. Visit sites that can provide you with information regarding local and international situations and if it is safe to travel.

Getting travel insurance is a necessity especially if you are travelling. Essential travel is still covered by insurance but it is best to double-check your policy. If you travel against the government advice, your insurance may become invalid not to mention breaking the law.

While the health crises may limit most of our travelling plans this year, this does not mean that we cannot enjoy our travel plans. Always keep in mind to be a conscientious traveller and follow whatever guidelines the local authorities set out.

Religion – Is It Right For You?

Religion is one of the oldest traditions in history. It is a notable part of most cultures. Many religions exist today but some of the most prominent in the world are Christianity, Islam, Buddism, Hinduism. With the positive influence of religious activities, it is highly used for personal improvement.

Religious scripture

It is common for most religions to have a holy book, holy practices and systems, a meeting place, and a charismatic spokesperson. Traditional religious exercises are prayer, contemplation, fasting, and meeting places like churches, mosques, and temples.

Religion encourages a sense of peace, love, belonging and community, but serves the opposite in its lowest form. Oftentimes in some religions, religious people get in tangled with politics and contentions that do not have anything to do with their particular religious scriptures. Also, it happens a lot of times that follower may get prideful, or power-hungry and employ bullying and imposing others they are not accepted just because they think or act differently when they actually do not go against the book. This often ends up in much worse and much more disturbing situations than when the person has no religion.

Spiritual bullying is more common than any of us realize. If you experience spiritual bullying, you do not have to just accept it as long as you know you are right and do not go against the written text of your religion. Religion should promote growth, peace and unity, but if it does the opposite then it is either corrupted or simply not the right religion for you.

How Religion Relates To Happiness

Everyone chases after happiness, but true happiness does not come from this world or earthly possessions. It has been observed that religious people have a better life than people depending on earthly possessions for their happiness.

Faith in the existence of God

Research says that if you have a religious life, you will live a more comforting life. It is right as material wealth alone cannot bring true happiness. People who depend on God are optimistic and can calmly deal with life struggles. They also handle frustration, anger, sorrow and grief very lightly.

How Religion Links to Happiness

Based on a study, people who believe in God practice a higher level of life satisfaction and happiness in contrast to those who don’t.
It is always hard to cope up with the challenges of life for those who don’t trust in God. Instead, the religious people put their trust in God to help them cope up with the difficulties in life and believe He can solve all their fears easily.

While religion benefits life, faith requires action to achieve true happiness. Contentment and gratitude for the good happenings lead to inner satisfaction. Religious people can handle pressures as they depend on God for help.

Those who have faith in God can endure disappointments in life with grace and poise. Even when life is full of distress, faith help releases his or her from being tensed.

Ideally, having a religious life can lead to a life of love, joy, compassion and service. True happiness is achieved when one puts God’s principles into practice and leave behind one’s selfishness and egocentricity.

Religion – Is It Good For Your Health?

For most people, it is important to have a particular system of faith and worship. Other than spiritual gains, does religion benefit to health? There have been numerous studies and claims point to the benefits of religion to the health of a person. What are the benefits?

Influence of Religion to Health

How does religion affect your health?

Many doctors believe that the health of a person involves the mind and spirit. Many cases are proving that religious people recover better, have a longer lifespan, optimistic and are less likely to be depressed.

Since religion is a set of beliefs about God or the supreme being that provides help for people, a religious person tends to believe God will heal his or her sickness and survive difficulties in life. Faith benefits mental health in a way that develops the mental well-being of a person.

Experts say that if you are a devoted religious person, then what you prayed for will most likely happen. This may be true as there are many cases that a person’s faith aids him to fight illness and get well again. They call this the psychological effect on a person.

Religion improves relationship

Religion enhances one’s social perspective that provides many positive effects. There have been many studies that show religion benefits relationship. People who eat with friends mostly feel full and contented. Receiving encouragement from friends also helps a depressed person feels better or a patient recovers better.

The act of touching physically like hugs also help in the healing process of a person. Physical contacts increase the activity of the nerves of the body giving signals to the brain. Then the brain releases serotonin, also known as the ‘happy hormone,’ the body’s natural anti-depressant.

Religion improves mental health

Other benefits of religion to one’s health include improved behaviours like good diet and abstaining from alcohol and smoke. The religious community plays a good role in religious life as it helps one to have a positive image of oneself, sense of purpose and maturity. Lonely people also benefit from having a religion. In times of misery or lost a loved one, they understand some situations are not in their control and trust God to give consolation, comfort and make them stronger in continuing life.

Religion is also life-changing for many. Many criminals turned over a new leaf and lived a life acceptable to God. Faith also moulds one’s artistry and creativity through prayer and music.

Indeed, there are many and sometimes unexplainable benefits of religion to one’s health and life. If you belong to a religion, strengthen your faith and enjoy a happy life.