Amish Perspectives on Their Health and Lifestyle

By Cade Shadowlight

Photo: Randy Fath/Unsplash

The Amish generally avoid technology and the media, but they will occasionally give interviews and participate in studies from which we can draw lessons. They view health as intertwined with faith, seeing the body as "the temple of God" to steward for work and family. To the Amish mind, good health enables hard work, family provision, and community participation, with well-being described as physical, spiritual, and relational freedom. 

 

Faith and Church is seen by the Amish as the top protective factor. They emphasize "medicine helps, but God alone heals." ¹ One Amish leader pointed to the importance of faith for mental resilience, saying "We go to church, I love church." ² Another said "in order to be a good husband or good leader, I need a good connection, relationship with the Lord, that’s important." ²

 

Family and Community is valued for support and reducing isolation. As one Amish woman put it: "Family, I think we’ve got more closeness because we cannot just jump into our vehicles and go just anywhere... we want to be together." ²  Another points out "There is always someone to talk to." ²

Work Ethic and Physical Labor is a core health maintainer. One Amish man described outdoor tasks like cutting firewood: "You can get out there and relax your brain." ²  Several Amish cited activities like gardening and farming as having many physical and health benefits.  

 

Simplicity and Contentment by avoiding modern distractions fosters peace for the Amish. One stated, "I’ve lived without a television or radio for 60 years and I have never missed it." ² The Amish consider their quiet country lifestyle to not only offer moral clarity, but also physical and emotional benefits when compared to hectic, high-pressure urban life. 

Natural Approaches such as folk remedies, supplements, and home care, along with low tobacco and alcohol use and other healthy lifestyle choices, are the preferred healing methods for the Amish. Modern medicine and hospitals sought only in the most serious cases. 

Sources of Quotes and Information

1)  https://www.ohiosamishcountry.com/articles/the-health-of-the-amish

2)  https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=8963&context=dissertations (PDF)

   

Between Shadows and Light,

Cade Shadowlight 

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