In the beginning of Chapter 11, the authors state that in the United States, religious people tend to be healthier and live somewhat longer than non religious. I was unaware of this fact and eager to read more, as my parents raised my sister and I in a very religious environment. We attended religious day-school from Pre school until 8th grade, and regularly attended services. As it says in the book, however, there is great individual variation in longevity relating to religion, based on specific religion and the practices involved. At first, I was surprised that religion had an impact on female longevity. I knew that for some people, religion meant a decrease or complete lack of alcohol use or drug use, which obviously helped their health. However, I did not think of the additional aspect of increased sociability involved in religion. Even if a person does not practice religion as much as he or she desires, they most likely have a social group from their religion that others may not have. For example, I have had a separate friend group, rooted in religion, from birth to now. Even if I don’t necessarily attend services often or celebrate every religious holiday, these friends have encouraged me to be more outgoing and attend events with them.
It was also interesting that helping others increased longevity, but having pets did not have an effect. While I do not have any pets, I have heard countless people discuss the benefits of them. I was surprised to hear they do not increase longevity, because of all the happiness they bring to others, according to my friends.
I was also surprised that having a pet does not necessarily increase one’s longevity. In one of my other classes, we talked about how the same kind of neurochemical would be produced in the brain when one is interacting with a human or a dog. And in the longevity program book, they also talked about the importance of caring others and emotional attachment. I can definitely see these health-promoting elements in an interaction between human and pets.
Also, I wonder how a life of spirituality promoted by religion does not promote one’s longevity. Because I think even people who believe in religion but do not take part in the religious community would benefit from it and they can potentially be more self-disciplined and are less likely to participate in unhealthy or self-detrimental behaviors.