Asking patients about their spiritual practices may allow you to better understand their support system and help them tap into resources. This can be uncomfortable for many providers, but is often appreciated by patients. Conversations of this sort become easier over time and allow you to make recommendations compatible with each patient's personal ideology. Research evidence shows that patients with an active spiritual practice experience better overall health, both mental and physical. Such practices may help lower cortisol through a mechanism of action similar to that of relaxation exercises.