For enhanced physical health, tend to spiritual side

Catholics believe that the human person possesses an integrally connected body and soul. Yet modern medicine almost exclusively focuses on the body and leaves “spiritual matters” to one’s personal inclinations. But science is revealing that what we do with our spiritual lives strongly impacts the health of our bodies, and health care professionals should pay heed.

An explosion of recent research from universities like Duke, Harvard, and UC-Berkeley have opened our eyes to the relationship between religious practice and health. Almost without exception, the research shows that people who regularly worship in a religious community possess substantially better mental and physical health. 

Mental health. Over 200 studies reveal lower rates of depression, fewer problems with anxiety, and a greater chance of overcoming substance abuse in people who are religious compared to their areligious counterparts. In one study of adult children at high genetic risk for depression, subjects placing high importance on religion in their lives had a 90 percent reduced risk of major depression. In a study following almost 90,000 nurses for several decades, those that regularly attended religious service had an 84 percent reduction in suicide. Psychotherapy and medications provide nowhere near this level of benefit.

Physical health. Numerous studies demonstrate better outcomes with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and even cancer in people who regularly practice their faith. In one high-quality study of over 22,000 subjects, religious Caucasians added 7 years — and African Americans added a whopping 14 years — to their life expectancy. Over 120 high-quality studies show an average 37 percent mortality reduction in people who are religious compared to their areligious counterparts.

Our brains may be hard-wired to connect with God. In a fascinating study of college students, pain tolerance was measured by how long students could hold their hands in an ice bath. Students who were asked to use a spiritual meditation (e.g., “God is good” or “God is love”) — as opposed to relaxation techniques or a non-religious meditation — were able to hold their hands in the ice bath nearly twice as long as students not using a religious meditation.

Other research indicates that social connectedness, humility, gratitude, propensity toward forgiveness, and having purpose and meaning in one’s life are all independent predictors of better health. Although one does not need to be religious to possess these qualities, there is little like the Christian faith that encompasses and even demands these attributes of its followers.

The proper end of our faith is not better physical health, but union with God. But it should not be surprising that creatures that are body-soul composites fare better on all fronts when they attend to the spiritual part of themselves. Perhaps it is high time the medical profession take notice.

PAUL CARSON, M.D., is a physician and professor in the department of public health at North Dakota State University. He is the immediate past president of the Catholic Medical Association guild in Fargo, N.D.