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Who says that being diligent in worshiping will only be good for the salvation of the world and the hereafter as well as refreshing the heart and soul? It turns out that there are several studies that prove that the more diligent you are in worshiping, the healthier your body will be.
In Indonesia, the most widely practiced religion is Islam. So maybe we first discuss a little about the benefits of prayer for the health of our bodies, as summarized briefly from the International Journal of Health Sciences & Research below:
- Improve blood circulation. In prayer there is a takbiratul ihram movement, in which we stand straight, raise our hands parallel to the ears, then fold them in front of the stomach or lower chest. This movement increases blood and lymph flow, and strengthens the arm muscles. When lifting both hands, the shoulder muscles stretch and make the oxygen-rich blood flow smooth and the muscles don't stiffen.
- Maintain the perfect position and function of the spine. Through the bow movement, where we are like kneeling but the head is straight with the spine, we reduce the risk of getting injured or pain in the back and waist is reduced. Through bowing, the urine will be trained to prevent prostate disorders.
- Improve digestion. When i'tidal or getting up from bowing, this movement involves the stomach and other digestive organs, so the digestive organs are massaged and loosened so that their work becomes smoother.
- Better blood flow to the brain. When prostrating, which is a movement that is like yanking but the hands, knees, toes and forehead are pressed against the floor simultaneously, blood flow to the brain increases, and lymph flow is pumped to the neck and armpits. Then because of the position of the heart on top of the brain, oxygen-rich blood can flow optimally to the brain and affect one's thinking power. This effect also occurs in the Hindu religious worship movement, Vandanam, which is to worship God by performing prostrations and worship. Because there is a prostration movement, the blood flow to the brain is also better.
- Relieve pain. When sitting between two prostrations, our body will rest on the groin which is connected to the Ischiadius nerve, which makes our bodies avoid groin pain. In addition, this sitting position makes us avoid prostate problems.
- Relaxes the muscles around the neck and head. When performing the greetings at the end of the prayer, the muscles around the neck and head will relax and improve blood flow in the head. This movement can prevent headaches and keep the skin tight.
- Intelligence increases. According to several studies, after prayer our intelligence can improve. This is due to the prostration movement which makes it easier for the oxygen supply to flow optimally. According to research conducted by several researchers at Harvard University, United States, this is because the position of the heart is above the head, so that blood is able to flow very well to the brain.
Studies prove that people who are diligent in worship are healthier
In general, almost every religion has a ritual worship movement that is not much different from the one described above. However, the benefits of worship are more than that. Especially in mental health and psychology, as explained by Harold Koenig, MD, professor of medicine and psychiatry at Duke as presented in WebMD.com.
According to Koenig, who is also the author Handbook of Religion and Health, about 1,200 new studies prove the effects of worship on health. People who are diligent in worship can live longer and are also healthier.
"They don't seem to or very rarely smoke and drink," said Koenig.
In fact, worshipers rarely get sick, according to a different study at Duke, Dartmouth, and Yale universities. Here are some of the research results:
- People who rarely attend church or worship when sick and hospitalized will take an average of three times longer than those who attend church regularly.
- The heart of a patient who rarely or never attended church or worshiped was 14 times more likely to die during surgery.
- Parents who rarely or never attended church or worshiped were 2 times more likely to have a stroke than those who were diligent.
- In Israel, religious Jews have a 40% lower death rate from cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Koenig also said people who are more religious are less likely to experience depression. "And when they feel depressed, they can quickly recover from that depression. It could have consequences for their physical health and quality of life, ”he explained.
Maybe those of you who haven't felt the impact, can immediately start your worship according to your respective beliefs. Not only does it make you calmer, it turns out that you are also healthier physically and mentally.
