Regularly reading the Bible may benefit more than just your soul; it seems to have positive effects on your physical well-being, too. According to the latest State of the Bible Report from the American Bible Society, those who engaged with the Bible last week reported significantly lower stress levels compared to those who don’t. Additionally, Bible readers tend to feel less anxious and lonely, coupled with a greater sense of hope.
The findings also suggest a link between habitual Bible reading and positive self-care behaviors. For instance, people who read the Bible regularly are more inclined to exercise, socialize with friends, and volunteer in their communities during the past week.
This survey, which involved 2,656 adults in the U.S., was conducted in January.
“Our research supports the idea that activities improving general well-being—like exercise and spending time with friends—are statistically correlated with a rich life. Bible reading falls right into this,” noted John Farker Plake, Chief Innovation Officer of the American Bible Society and Editor-in-Chief of the Bible Series.
Plake emphasized that the impact of reading the Bible on anxiety and loneliness surpasses that of meditation or social interactions. Those who consistently turn to the Bible often find peace amid stress, hope for their future, and a deeper relationship with a God who intimately understands and loves them.
The survey highlighted that 67% of Americans have exercised in the last week. In comparison, 71% of regular Bible readers reported exercising, against 65% of those who rarely or never engage with the scripture.
Moreover, regular Bible readers were more likely to have spent time with friends (73% compared to the national average) and volunteered in their communities over the week (27% versus 17%). Of those who seldom read or do not read the Bible, 63% indicated they had socialized, while only 13% reported volunteering.
For more details, check Chapter 4 of the Bible Report.
