Mind body spirituality

My belief system (religion) affects my health

Religion has been known to have various benefits of empowering a person by way of connecting them to a superior force, community which might in turn lead to psychological stability.  The ability to empower applies in a medical setting in that nit can be used in helping those who are struggling with health problems. In a society where the culture of consumption has dominated, a belief system offers an avenue for people to commit to something which is beyond them. This commitment normally occurs through religious principles consciousness such as spiritual and social support (Hill & Bryan, 66).

There are various interpretations of how a personal health is influenced by spirituality or belief system and follow certain pathways. These pathways include health behavior, social support, psychological states and psi influences.  The health behavior involves adoption of a healthy lifestyle where one prescribes to a given diet or may discourage abuse of substances such as smoking and alcohol consumption. Social support can be experienced through contact with fellow religionist or believers which can create a web of psychological support or relations which are very protective and helpful (Hill & Bryan,66).  Psychological   state involves religious people experiencing a good mental health through a positive attitude that offers optimism and faith. This can in turn lead to better health because of reduced stress. The psi influences involves the supernatural laws which normally govern energies which cannot be studied by science. Since spirituality influences health by use of these pathways, they indirectly act on one’s health (Hill & Bryan, 66).

Moreover , religion provides psychotherapy and counseling concerning health advice especially on personal behavior  involving issues such as sex and how the manner of engaging in them.  It helps to create boundaries on the extent to which someone can get involved in unsafe practices such as unsafe sexual behaviors which ultimately lead to infections. It helps individuals to safeguard the avenues through which the infectious diseases can be transmitted and this will eventually lead to better health (Pargament & Cummings 6).  Even where individuals have contracted the diseases such as HIV/Aids, being involved in religious activities whether private or public is normally associated with fewer emotional states that are undesirable. The benefits are, therefore, involved with spiritual transformation which informs religious copying when it comes to anxiety or distress. In one study, Swiss children who seeks God for assistance or prayed to get comfort reported less symptoms of posttraumatic stress.  Another study done on cardiac patients showed that positive spiritual coping was associated with lower anger levels and hostility. Stress is known to bring about changes in the biotechnical nature of a person’s body as seen in the rise in catacholamines level (Pargament, 38).

The health benefits of spiritual practices such as meditation, heart-felt prayers and fasting have been known to have mechanisms of improving an individual’s health. This is because such practices are normally concerned about mental and body healing and the health support for individuals who are struggling with physical or mental illness (Cornah,8). Regular involvements in religious practices are some of the main reasons that people use to explain their own happiness and in more likely to indicate someone who has a sense of well-being (Fagan, 1). These assertions show that religious or spiritual beliefs influence the well-being of a healthy person and help a sick person to cope well with the disease. 

 

Works cited

Pargament, Kenneth I. The Psychology of Religion and Coping: Theory, Research, Practice. New York: Guilford Press, 1997. Print. 6-7

Hill, Peter C, and Bryan J. Dik. Psychology of Religion and Workplace Spirituality. Charlotte, N.C: Information Age Pub., Inc, 2012. Print. 66-67

Pargament,Kenneth , Cummings, Jeremy. Medicine for the Spirit: Religious Coping in Individuals with Medical Conditions. Religions 2010.  38

 

 Cornah, Deborah . The impact of spirituality on mental health. Mental Health Foundation(2006).8.Available at: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/impact-spirituality.pdf

Fagan , Patrick.Why Religion Matters: The Impact of Religious Practice on Social Stability.(2016). Available at: http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/1996/01/bg1064nbsp-why-religion-matters