After analyzing more than 670,000 interviews from the past two years, Gallup finds that the most religious Americans have the highest scores in wellbeing, a relationship that holds “even after controlling for a number of related demographic and geographic variables.” Although the study does not indicate why this is the case, other Gallup analyses have shown that “time spent socially and social networks are positively associated with high wellbeing.” The study also suggested that faith in a higher power, meditative behaviors, and taking part in charitable acts for others are widely used to cope with stress and promote happiness. Gallup studies have also found that very religious Americans lead healthier lives and report less depression and worry than the less-religious.
