Spiritual means Healthier, Researcher Says

by patgarcia | March 14, 2009 at 06:12 am

311 views | 81 Recommendations | 10 comments

I have experienced the power of prayer uncountable times in my life, a new perspective of it was uncovered before my eyes the moment one of my doctors recomendend to pray 20 minutes everyday for healing reasons, to produce endorphins that will help balance my cortisol production and inmune system.

“A number of studies have shown a positive relationship between participatory prayer and lower rates of heart disease, cirrhosis, emphysema and stroke in adults,” he says. “Prayer has been shown to correlate to lower blood pressure, cortisol levels, rates of depression, as well as increased rates of self-described well being.”

“But very few studies have attempted to examine how children’s spiritual beliefs impact their health,” he says. Initially, Nierenberg conducted a study of HIV positive pediatric patients (ages seven to 17), comparing religious development, church attendance and prayer to health measures such as symptoms, T-cell counts and number of hospitalizations.

Leslie Kats also discovered a new source of endorphins in her life- prayer.
Just like running causes the brain to release chemicals that act as analgesics, so does prayer.

Sitting in synagogue on a Shabbat morning earlier this month, it hit me. Praying, at least for me, is a lot like running.

At first, I feel a bit stiff. I hear the words without really hearing, say them without really saying. At times I'll recite an entire prayer without stopping to consider what, exactly, is coming out of my mouth.

Then at some point, a line will jump out at me. An incantation will comfort me. Sometimes I'll have just a few moments of illumination, sometimes many. I'll often leave a service feeling renewed and unencumbered, confident that life is unfolding just the way it should.

In her "Torah Thoughts" column earlier this month, Rabbi Amy Eilberg wrote, "I don't understand how prayer works, though I know that it does."

I agree, though such mysteries are challenging for an overly analytical sort like me. I like to know exactly why I feel what I feel and why I do what I do.

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Amy Judd

at 08:03 on March 14th, 2009

One of my friend's mum was diagnosed with throat cancer and she wasn't religious at all, but then she started praying and going to church, and even though she didn't survive it, she lived years longer than they said she would - it was amazing, I believe in this.

azzayindia

at 09:06 on March 14th, 2009

if she would have prayed in temple would the result be the same

Rhonda J Mangus

at 08:24 on March 14th, 2009

Thank you for sharing this story and your personal experience, Pat!

azzayindia

at 09:07 on March 14th, 2009

another propoganda by right wing people to join the mob called religion.

Babel-Fish

at 09:44 on March 14th, 2009

Ssssh, being of Jewish ancestry I know the real truth, we live longer as we don't eat pork.

As an atheist I still am very wary of the dreadfully fatty beast and always make sure I eat the leanest of meats.

Now you know the secret that I was swore to keep close to my very healthy heart.

The other secret is run to the synagogue and run back home afterward. However its also a fact that one is not allowed to take transport on the sabbath and that's the other key to long life.

The third key is Jewish jokes they are famed at making you laugh and that's good for the heart.

The main point missed its not how long you live that's important its the quality of life and how you enjoy living it.

I feel renewed after a good night sleep and also after a nice walk in the park.

I like the atheist Albert Einstein think that religion bars a free thinking pattern and hinders brain exercise.

So I really think that a free thinking atheist with a Jewish mother and does not eat much pork fat and walks and runs a lot and keeps fit. Who has a young wife will live to 120 if he didn't smoke so much. lol

Prayer is for lazy people I would rather run, lol

However please pray for me as I broke my pledge not to tell the inner secrets about the Jewish fountain of youth.

It will do me me any good but it will keep you fit and healthy.

If you can not take the joke your not jewish, lol.

Peace be with you, faith is important, some people require it and its powerful to them.. I respect that.

Wildstar (not verified)

at 21:03 on March 14th, 2009

My sentiments exactly. There is nothing else to say except that Albert Einstein was a genius.^^

tikun

at 12:14 on March 14th, 2009

Thanks Pat for the information. There is no doubt in my experience that prayer, Torah study, meditation, chanting all provide incredible opportunity for a calming feeling and if blessed, a personal sense of enlightenment.

For me the Shabbat(Sabbath) is a time of rejuvenation and upliftment. Doing "nothing" is an amazing experience.

mezze

at 12:37 on March 14th, 2009

i think that weeding (or working in) your garden has exactly the same effect: endorphines soothing you. Or fishing, the oldfashioned way. Or really looking at ants and get absorbed by it. Or running. I think it's all a matter of concentration without concentration, so flow. You don't need god(s) to feel happily tired and allright ;-)

(btw: never trust 'a number of studies'..)

jazzyzazzy

at 12:40 on March 14th, 2009

I have 1st degree Reiki healing and I give healing when requested by friends or family.I never charge fees..My mother who, is 86yrs young tells me it eases her athritis and calms her spirit.YES....................IT WORKS.It is in us all, who care to take time out and smell the roses.

Jarrett Martineau

at 08:24 on March 15th, 2009

Thanks for this. Spiritual practice, prayer, and meditation -- in all of their different forms and traditions -- can be of great benefit to physical, mental and psychological health. Interesting research!