Why Religion Should Be a Part of Your Life

As young professionals, incorporating faith into your daily life may not be a top priority, but I’ve got good evidence that you might want to consider. Most of us grew up with some kind of religious upbringing, but statistics indicate that we let go many of those faith-based habits – like going to church – in young adulthood. 

But what if I told you that trend is really harming you and those around you? Hear me out. When you roll out the data, what you’ll find is that those who are religiously faithful have happier, more fulfilled, healthier and generous lives overall. You may not see the through line immediately, but the numbers don’t lie. And in a world where depression and anxiety are higher than ever, practical remedies to such struggles matter deeply. 

Here are 7 reasons to consider taking up faith practices to improve your life and the lives of those in the community and societies you live in: 

1. Religious folks are happier.

2. Religious people are healthier.

3. Religious people are the only ones with improved mental health in 2020. 

4. Religious people are more generous. 

5. Religious people are more likely to volunteer.

6. Religious people are more civically involved

7. Religious people have more successful marriages

8. Religious people are more likely to engage with people who are different from them. 

You can find this research in a variety of places, including Pew, Gallup, and more. For years, studies have shown these incredible benefits to religious life, and yet, Americans grow less religious by the day. 

Statistics can look boring at first glance, but they always tell a hidden story. The story these numbers and research tell us is that there is a secret elixir to life and it’s found within a consistent faith practice. Though the vast majority of people practicing faith in the U.S. are Christian, this data actually goes for *any* faith  practices, so long as they are authentic and consistent. 

Another thing to consider? It was faith-based organizations that started the modern philanthropy movement. In the early 1900s, places like the YMCA began on the basis of Christian principle to help others. Today, there are well over 100,000 religious-based  non-profits in the United States. Faith practices may seem outdated to some, but without them, we stand to lose a lot of good in our country and our world. 

So what are you waiting for? Start making plans to head to church this weekend!