Why worship?

We are told in Isaiah 61 to put on the garment of praise.  Putting on is purposeful.  I have reluctantly gone to many worship times and left so glad I did.  It's not, fake it till you make it, a frown is a smile upside down kind of pithy motivation.  No, it's a choice to act in faith and God responds.  So what happens when we miss out or don't make worship a priority?  
If you simply look at the physiological comparisons and studies:

1. Gratitude and Well-Being
   The metaphorical act of "putting on a garment of praise" aligns closely with gratitude practices, as both emphasize shifting focus from negativity to positive acknowledgment of blessings. Research has shown that regularly practicing gratitude—like choosing to praise—can improve overall well-being by reducing depression, increasing positive emotions, and boosting physical health. This includes benefits such as improved sleep, reduced inflammation, and better cardiovascular health. Crazy!
2. Lowering Physical Stress with Worship and Gratitude
   Engaging in praise and gratitude can actively lower stress hormones like cortisol and increase dopamine and serotonin, which are linked to feelings of calmness and joy. This suggests that the act of praise influences physiological systems, reducing the "spirit of heaviness" described in Isaiah 61:3 by literally altering emotional and hormonal states in the body.
3. Heart Health and Blood Pressure
   Studies have shown that gratitude and praise lead to improved cardiovascular markers, including lower blood pressure and healthier heart rhythms. By promoting relaxation and reducing stress-induced strain on the body, praise and gratitude contribute to better regulated autonomic nervous system responses.
4. The Impact of Worship on Brain Activity
   Worship and faith practices activate centers in the brain associated with emotional regulation, empathy, and forgiveness. The act of praising, often linked with mindfulness and meditative states, quiets the amygdala (the brain’s fear and stress center) and promotes a calm yet focused mental state. This aligns with the "lifting" of heaviness as described in scripture.

In other words, the deliberate act of "putting on" praise, has a measurable positive impact on physical health, as it influences emotional regulation, reduces stress, boosts heart health, and promotes overall well-being. These physiological responses strongly underscore why practices of gratitude and worship are transformative, both spiritually and physically. Plus, what it really does is align our hearts with God.  I used to not like worship music but I think it's cultural adaptation. For example, I despise rap music. Like really hate it.  But I love 80's rock ballads. I am a product of the 80's.  You learn to love what you are feeding to your self in other words.  Now I love worship music more than anything.