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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.