Religious services ‘lower depression and extend life’

And other stories from the stranger side of life

A church community
(Image credit: Chris J Radcliffe/AFP/Getty Images)

Experts have found that people who regularly attend religious services tend to live longer, smoke, drink and take drugs less, experience fewer symptoms of depression and exercise more, reported The Times. Researchers in the US analysed almost 400 studies published between the year 2000 and last April to identify links between spirituality and better physical and mental health. They found that “those who regularly attended religious services were 27% less likely to die early and 33% less likely to suffer symptoms of depression”.

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