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" Waking up early and putting on your Sunday best might be a little easier now that science supports\u00A0a serious health benefit of\u00A0going to church. A new study\u00A0showed a super-strong link\u00A0between attending religious services\u00A0and living longer,\u00A0and the effect is especially large\u00A0for women.\u00A0 Basically, females who attended\u00A0church once a week had a 26% lower risk of death compared to those who never went. Those\u00A0who go\u00A0more than that\u00A0get an extra pat on the back \u2014\u00A0their risk was even more reduced, at\u00A033%. More casual goers still got a boost, too, with a\u00A013% lower risk of death. While there&amp;#039;s no proof of divine intervention, the study authors have a couple theories on\u00A0the link. Going to church can lead to higher rates of social support, increased optimism, and lower rates of depression. It can\u00A0also promote more\u00A0self-discipline and a sense of purpose in life. Lots of Americans will see these advantages, too \u2014\u00A055%\u00A0of\u00A0the country goes to a church or synagogue more than once a month.\u00A0While scientists have also looked at\u00A0the benefits of reading the Bible and other religious texts, the effects\u00A0weren&amp;#039;t as great.\u00A0 The study does have some hitches, however. Researchers used a survey of more than 75,000 female nurses to test\u00A0the connection, and while they had a huge quantity of data, the people surveyed aren&amp;#039;t truly representative. Most of the women were Protestant or Catholic, so it&amp;#039;s hard to say whether the same benefits appear in other religions. Plus, men weren&amp;#039;t included, although similar research indicates that regular church attendance can also help the guys.\u00A0 The most important caveat;\u00A0however, is that a sermon can&amp;#039;t replace a doctor&amp;#039;s visit or healthy habits in general.\u00A0&amp;quot;This study does not suggest that clinicians prescribe attending religious services as a way to be more healthy,&amp;quot; lead author\u00A0Tyler J. VanderWeele emphasized.\u00A0 Instead, psychologists use this kind of research to think about the place of religion in medical care, and how the two can work together to help people live better, happier lives.\u00A0 [h/t CNN] "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/news/a38501/going-to-church-living-longer-study/>