Spiritual health is deeply interwoven with other aspects of human health and is a necessary part of the intricate development process that leads to a sense of wholeness. Research shows that religion and spirituality (R/S) play a significant role in enhancing mental, relational and physical health. Whether you believe in God or another higher power, pursuing a spiritual life provides significant resources for meaning-making, coping with stress and bouncing back after trauma. The resources from R/S increase positive emotions and reduce risks of emotional disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
In studying spirituality, psychologists use the term transcendence to name how we understand and pursue what is sacred. In some traditions that source would be named God, and in other traditions Allah, HaShem, Brahmin, nature, but both western and eastern traditions view the source of transcendence as one of ultimacy in power and/or truth. Our understanding and pursuit of this sacred source informs our spiritual practices, our values and belief systems, what we find purposeful, and how we make meaning of the difficulties and joys in our lives. The pursuit of a spiritual life asks us to engage big questions, like “why am I here?,” “how should I live,?” and “what is the nature of God?”
Why does spiritual health matter?
Spiritual health is one aspect of overall human health. Spirituality points to how we can pursue meaningful and purposeful lives, connect with the sacred, help others, and spirituality has many benefits for overall health and wellbeing. Specifically, spirituality and religion are associated with better mental health through supporting resilience and the ability to cope with difficulties, and also by eliciting positive emotions like happiness, hope, optimism, joy, and gratefulness. People who have religious and spiritual practices tend to experience more marital stability and social support. In terms of physical health, R/S contribute to longevity through improved dietary habits, lowered incidence of risky behaviors such as drinking and smoking, and even improved physical activity. R/S have even been shown to help people recover from certain diseases, live longer and feel better over the course of their lives. For a detailed summary of this research, see the reference below.
4 ways to improve spiritual health
The spiritual journey requires time and regular practice.
- The spiritual journey is not something to chase. We won’t suddenly become whole and perfectly spiritual if we work hard enough at it. It’s more about the process of discovery and letting go and allowing space for grace.
- Do commit to regular rhythms of rest and schedule time for weekly quiet and reflection. When we are in a state of constant rush and stress, we often miss seeing and experiencing the sacred.
- Take care of your body. You need enough sleep, exercise, hydration & nutrition for wellness and a state of receptivity (as opposed to fight or flight).
- Spending time outside in nature and experiencing beauty are important spiritual practices.
- A mindfulness practice helps us see our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. The process of self-understanding is in and of itself a spiritual journey.
The spiritual journey is better pursued with others.
- Seek a spiritual community. Social support is essential for spiritual growth in the same way that sleep and nutrition are essentials for our bodies. Humans instinctively seek a sense of belonging. Without love and support we don’t feel safe and can feel isolated and lonely. Transcendent love is often experienced in a faith community. It might take a little research, but finding a community where you feel known and loved can help you grow in your capacity to love others.
- Get curious. We learn about ourselves through seeking to understand others by developing skills such as perspective taking, curiosity, humility, forgiveness, and seeking repair, among others.
The spiritual journey asks you to understand yourself
- Seek to become more self-aware and work to regulate your emotions through practice. Practices such as grounding, seeking positive emotions, self-compassion, and journaling can help. So can exploring your sources of joy.
- Explore your beliefs and values in order to learn how to live in alignment and with integrity.
- Explore what matters to you and your purposes.
The spiritual journey requires service to others.
- Seek to offer your gifts to others through volunteer work, or within your family life, or vocation. Engage in work that feels meaningful to you.
- Become a mentor. Wise mentors offer the necessary support to younger people, so it’s never too late to offer your wisdom and grow together.
How to maintain healthy spiritual wellness
The spiritual journey isn’t a race, and it is less about what you do than who you become. But adding more things to your to-do list in the pursuit of becoming a perfectly spiritual person will probably do you (and the people who love you) more harm than good. Maintaining spiritual wellness does, however, require time and practice, and it’s important to keep in mind that we thrive with and for others. You’ll need to pay attention to how to find the right balance between self-care and how you care for others. If you don’t pay attention to your spiritual life, like any other kind of neglect, that part of your life will wither and become unwell. That’s one of the reasons why we need a community to model and provide support for us on this journey. We need love, and we need regular rhythms of connection to support the resilience and hope necessary to negotiate the changes that occur in life.
For Further Reading
Life Worth Living – A Guide to What Matters Most
Chasing Peace – A Story of Breakdowns, Breakthroughs, and the Spiritual Power of Neuroscience
Help, Thanks, Wow – The 3 Essential Prayers
Breathing Under Water – Spirituality and the 12 Steps
Love Your Enemies – How to Break the Anger Habit & Be a Whole Lot Happier
Reference
Koenig HG, King DE, Carson VB. Handbook of Religion and Health. 2nd edition. New York, NY, USA: Oxford University Press; 2012. doi: 10.5402/2012/278730.
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