Lessons for living longer from the people who've lived the longest --Lesson 7: Belong

Participate in a spiritual community

Healthy centenarians everywhere have faith. The simple act of worship is one of those subtly powerful habits that seems to improve your chances of having more good years. It doesn't matter if you are Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist or Hindu.
Studies have shown that attending religious services - even as infrequently as once a month - may make a difference in how long a person lives. As a group, the attendees had a longer life expectancy, with an impact about as great as that of moderate physical activity. Those who went to church services frequently were 20 percent less likely to die at any age. It appears that people who pay attention to their spiritaul side have lower rates of cardiovascular disease, depression, stress and suicide, and their immune systems seem to work better. People who attend church have a forced schedule of self-reflection, either through regular prayer or from sitting quietly duing religious services.

Lesson seven strategies

Be more involved

If you have already belong to a religious community, take a more active role in the organization. The longevity-enhancing effect may be a function of how you attend rather than the fact that you just attend. Getting involved in activities like singing in the choir or volunteering might enhance well-being and possibly reduce mortality.

Explore a new tradition

If you don't have a particular religious faith, commit to trying a new faith  community.

Just go

Schedule an hour a week for the next eight weeks to attend religious services. Don't think about it, Just go and do so with an open mind. Studies show that people who get involved with the service(singing hymns, participating in prayers or liturgy, volunteering) may find their well-being enhanced.