A recent study by Vanderbilt University found that people who attend worship services are less likely to be stressed and will live longer. The study points to a 55 percent reduction in mortality in men and women between the ages 40 and 65 who attend services. The Vanderbilt study, Church attendance, allostatic load and mortality in middle aged adults, by Marino Bruce and others “found a significant association between church attendance and mortality among middle-aged adults after full adjustments.” From Vanderbilt News:

“We found that they go to church for factors beyond social support,” Bruce said. “That’s where we begin to think about this idea …of compassionate thinking, that we’re … trying to improve the lives of others as well as being connected to a body larger than ourselves.”