Is attending religious services better for your health than meeting friends for coffee?
If you attend religious services regularly you are less likely to be depressed than nonattendees, according to a study in the Journal of Religion and Health. Regular attendees also have a more optimistic outlook on life.
But the study only surveyed women 50 and older. I think that’s odd. But some of the findings are interesting and I think they transfer to gender and age. It makes sense that if you attend a spiritual gathering (be it in a church, a yoga studio, a synagogue, etc.) you are making social connections, which also increases optimism and health.
What do you think? Is it any different than regularly meeting a bunch of friends for coffee?