Having a faith-based belief system offers us a format to reflect various issues within one’s life. The 7th lesson learned from the Blue Zone research is: “Have faith. Denomination does not seem to matter but attending faith-based services (4 times a month) does.” Buettner goes on to state that the practice of regularly attending faith-based services can add between 4-14 additional years of quality of life.
Some possible explanations as to why this practice adds to longevity can include that practicing one’s faith offers a sense of structure. This structure, in turn, offers a sense of community with others that share your beliefs, and offers a shared basis for community work, volunteerism and healthy habits. It has also been found that this social interaction has a positive impact on mental health. Religiosity has also been found to reduce suicide rates, alcoholism, and drug abuse.
Some additional benefits that have been found include:
Teaching good will and the golden rule.
Promotes ethics and good morals.
Encourages inner strength and courage to do the right thing.
Offers a message of forgiveness.
Encourages selfless service.
We have heard from some people that their faith has carried them through many life challenges. Some individuals may already be attending “live” in-person faith-based gatherings, while others may not be quite ready to venture out. Fortunately, for those who are not ready to venture out, there are several alternative ways to attend. Some of these include on-line, television, small home gatherings and as the weather permits, outdoor gatherings.
For those who may want to read more about the lessons learned from the Blue Zones, we encourage you to visit Blue Zones.
Key Takeaways
Attending faith-based worship, four times a month, can add 4-14 more years to your longevity.
Have faith, provides structure to one’s outlook.
Being part of a faith-based community can have a positive impact on our physical, psychological and spiritual well-being.
Best Practices
There are several ways to attend faith-based services if we are not ready for in-person services.
Explore various types of faith-based communities.
If it’s important to you, make time to meaningfully attend faith-based services.
Things to Limit
Being busy for the sake of being busy.
Not proceeding with caution.
Sitting in the back row.
Quote of the Week
"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible."
~ Thomas Aquinas
Being part of a faith-based community can add a source of connectedness to the internal and external world that can guide us throughout our life. The assurance that life/spirit continues can add solace.
Be well,
The paraDocs
Check our Welcome Greeting on YouTube
The paraDocs are Dr. Francis L. Battisti, PhD, Psychotherapist, Distinguished Psychology Professor and former Executive V.P and Chief Academic Officer and Dr. Helen E. Battisti PhD, RDN, CDN, Chief Nutrition Officer, at SpNOD, Health Promotion Specialist, Research and Clinical Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and former Assistant Professor.
We have developed "The ZONE", because that is exactly where you want to be during this pandemic. A place of focused attention to doing exactly what needs to be done to get you to where you need to be. The purpose of The Zone is to provide a nationally distributed weekly mental-health and nutrition tip-sheet during times of change.
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