Is going “woke” bad for your health? According to a bevy of studies shared by Psychology Today, being a liberal just might put the nail in your coffin far sooner than your conservative peers will be laid to rest. The key pattern to the recent studies on conservative vs. liberal health revolves around personal responsibility and the level of importance it is hold in the minds, hearts, and souls of American conservatives.
Conservatives, Liberals, and Mental Health
Moreover when we talk about joyfulness and satisfaction levels across both ends of the political spectrum? Well here too conservative Americans report higher numbers in recent years, suggesting such positive emotions directly translate into not just sounder minds but bodies too!
Lastly let’s not forget importance placed upon fostering connections within communities among conservative circles providing invaluable emotional backing further enhancing individual wellness profiles considerably over time thus rounding off quite comprehensively reasons behind observed disparities favoring socially right-leaning individuals concerning personal healthcare outcomes according to insights gathered through rigorous academic inquiry within the field of psychology.
Attitude Is Everything
According to a Tufts University study, a grand total of 16 percent of Americans who voted for Joe Biden in 2020, report they are suffering from depression. In that same study, when liberals and conservatives of equal educational and economic status and other controlled demographics such as marital stutus, race, and age – asked to imagine themselves on a ladder with 10 rungs – 10 being the highest and one being the lowest, liberals consistently rated themselves on far lower rungs.
The study and its researchers seem to indivate liberals may deem themselves more unhappy because they are more conscious of social injustice, climate change, and other cultural issues. While conservatives tend to be inclined to believe liberals are instead more unhappy because they are negatively biased about our society.
The Research Findings
Studies have indicated that conservatives report better health outcomes compared to liberals. This trend has been observed across various measures, including self-reported health status, the prevalence of chronic illnesses, and even life expectancy. Conservatives tend to have lower rates of certain diseases and report higher overall well-being.
Possible Explanations
- Lifestyle Choices: One significant factor that could contribute to these health disparities is lifestyle. Conservatives are more likely to engage in behaviors that promote health, such as regular exercise and maintaining a balanced diet. They also have lower rates of smoking and heavy drinking compared to liberals. (Democrats/liberals had higher odds of cigarette smoking and excessive drinking compared to Republicans/conservatives, PubMed, NIH.)
- Community and Social Networks: Conservatives often place a high value on community and familial ties, which can provide strong social support systems. This support can be crucial for mental health and overall well-being, helping individuals cope with stress and life’s challenges.
- Religious Involvement: Many conservatives are actively involved in religious communities, which have been shown to have a positive impact on health. Regular participation in religious activities can offer a sense of purpose, reduce stress, and provide a network of support.
- Mental Health: Conservatives report lower levels of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. This might be related to their stronger community ties and the support they receive from these networks.
What Role Does Faith Play in Conservative Health Practices?
In the world of conservative health habits, faith is a big deal. For many conservatives, their religious beliefs are like a compass that helps them decide how to live healthily. With faith at the center, it gives people not just rules for living but also a reason why they do what they do – think of it as moral support and guidance from above. Being part of a religious group means you’re never alone; there’s always someone to turn to or lean on when things get tough.
This sense of being part of something bigger can make folks more likely to stick with healthy choices because their religion encourages taking good care of oneself while steering clear from stuff that could hurt them. So really, when we talk about why faith matters in keeping conservatives healthy, it’s all about how those deep-rooted religious beliefs shape everything from daily routines to life-long decisions. They find comfort and direction in their beliefs, leading to more happiness and satisfaction in life.
Basically, for many conservatives, faith isn’t just about spiritual advice; it plays a big role in keeping them healthy all around
Stress Management and Mental Health
People who lean towards conservatism often handle stress and mental health really well for a bunch of reasons. It looks like they have stronger ways to deal with tough times, which might come from how much they believe in depending on themselves. Also, because they put a lot of stock in being responsible for their own actions and sticking to traditional values, it helps them stay mentally steady.
Life Satisfaction Ratings
Studies have found that people with conservative views often say they’re happier and more satisfied with life than those who lean towards liberal ideas. This seems to be because conservatives really value community and feeling like they belong somewhere. Especially social conservatives, who think keeping traditional ways of living and family values a high priority, seem to feel this way.
Conservatives, whether or not they identify as members of the Republican Party, believe these things make life better overall.
Conservatism, Socialism, and Health
Social conservatives often say that being part of a strong community and following faith-based practices are key to staying healthy. Studies back this up, showing these folks really value their support networks and social circles, which helps them feel good overall. With people around who care, they find it easier to handle stress and keep their mental health in check.
Dietary Habits Across the Political Spectrum
PubMed Central at NIH reports:
“Can one’s political ideology influence one’s health? Aggregate studies correlating average voting patterns with average mortality levels, or average health dissatisfaction, suggest that mortality tends to be lower in areas where the majority vote for the party with conservative political orientation. This finding has usually been presented as reflecting the differences in socio-economic deprivation between areas voting for a party with conservative values and areas voting for a party with liberal values. We are not aware of any studies that examine the association between political ideology and health at the disaggregated, individual level. In the USA, it has been shown that individuals’ political ideology correlates with the degree of importance they attach to health ‘care’, with individuals who identify as democrats assigning a higher priority on issues related to health care compared with individuals who identify as republicans. It is not clear, however, whether there are fundamental differences in health status and behaviors between individuals who identify with conservative and liberal political parties.”
Conservative Lifestyles: The Great Outdoors
For conservatives, it’s all about taking charge of your own life and being disciplined, especially when it comes to health. By getting involved in things like sports, walking or outdoor fun activities regularly, they believe in keeping fit as a key part of their day-to-day lives. This dedication to staying active helps them enjoy better health overall, gives them more energy and boosts their mood too. Is it a coincidence that most conservatives live outside of major metropolitan areas?
Conservatives are far more likely to be hunters, anglers, youth scout leaders, and spend time outdoors more regularly than liberals who merely escape to the wilderness for a weekend at a nearby Air BnB and hike a manicured trail so close to civilization that they do not even lose cell service. The self-reliant and personal responsibility characteristics of conservatives also tend to indicate they are more prone to manual labor and outdoor chores, such as felling their own trees to cut up firewood for the winter.
Participation Rates in Physical Activities
Participation rates in physical activities are higher among American conservatives compared to liberals. A study conducted in the journal Personality and Individual Differences found that conservative individuals were more likely to engage in regular physical activity compared to liberals and moderates.
The table below highlights the participation rates in various physical activities among American conservatives:
| Physical Activity | Participation Rate among American Conservatives |
| Running/Jogging | 70% |
| Gym Workouts | 65% |
| Outdoor Sports | 80% |
| Hiking | 75% |
| Cycling | 60% |
| Swimming | 70% |
Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Efforts
For conservatives, getting outside and taking care of our environment is really important. They believe that being close to nature helps keep the country safe and makes sure there’s a good world left for people coming after us. When they go hiking, camping, or fishing, it’s not just about fun; it’s also their way of escaping everyday stress. This connection with the outdoors lets them enjoy the beauty around them.
This focus on enjoying nature and helping save it does wonders for conservatives’ health as well. Being active outdoors and pitching in with conservation efforts gives them a big boost—making them feel better both inside out.
Conclusion
When we mix the study of minds—psychological science—with political beliefs, it lights up a path showing how our way of seeing the world can really shape our health. This exploration not just throws light on conservatives’ approach towards life but also offers an insightful view on how deep-seated beliefs influence actions that affect well-being.
Conservatives’ choices in how they live day-to-day play a big role not just in their personal health but also highlight how closely our political beliefs can be linked with our wellness levels.
Tara Dodrill is a self-reliance author, educator, and patriot homesteader in Appalachia. She studied journalism at Ohio University and previously served several terms as a town council member in her hometown. Dodrill worked as the editor of her county's newspaper before shifting her focus to writing books and hosting the largest hands-on homesteading, survival, and bushcraft annual event in the United States.
