Salvation and other blessings flow into the human heart “because we have been justified by faith,” writes Saint Paul in the Letter to the Romans. A new survey says faith may also justify increased physical and emotional health.

According to a new Gallup-Healthways Well-Being study, Americans who are considered the “most religious” also have the highest levels of well-being. They make healthier choices than their moderately religious and nonreligious counterparts across all four of the study’s “Healthy Behavior Index” categories, including smoking, healthy eating, and regular exercise.

In addition, very religious Americans are about 24 percent less likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who are moderately religious and 17 percent less likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who are nonreligious.

Religious participation has other benefits as well. Attendance at worship services promotes social interaction and friendship with others, and Gallup analysis has shown that time spent socially and social networks themselves are positively associated with well-being.

Religion also generally involves more meditative states and faith in a higher power, both of which have been widely used as methods to lower stress, reduce depression, and promote happiness. Religion provides mechanisms for coping with setbacks and life's problems, which in turn may reduce stress, worry, and anger. Many religions have beliefs about positive relationships with one's neighbors and charitable acts, which may lead to a more positive mental outlook.

Source: An article by Frank Newport, Sangeeta Agrawal, and Dan Witters for Gallup