Gulf Shore State Park, Alabama
In my previous blog, I talked about the advantages of religion in providing positive mental health. This blog will focus on the positive advantages of spirituality on mental health, well-being, and happiness.
What is spirituality?
Religion and spirituality are not the same.
Religion Involves beliefs, practices, and rituals related to the transcendent, where the transcendent is God or a Higher Power in Western religious traditions or ultimate truth/reality in Eastern traditions.
Spirituality is a broader concept, which includes the personal quest for understanding answers to ultimate questions about life, life
meaning, and relationship with the sacred or transcendent.
Is spirituality a journey?
Spirituality is closely connected to the supernatural, the mystical, and organized religion, but it goes beyond organized religion and comes before it. Spirituality involves seeking the transcendent and experiencing it, which means it encompasses a journey from not considering it to questioning, then to firmly not believing or believing, and ultimately to devotion and surrender. Therefore, spirituality is similar to religion, and there is some overlap between the two. (I would advise to read Handbook of Religion and Health- Koenig)
Spirituality is unique to each individual and can be expressed through religious activities, meditation, belief in a higher power, or appreciation of nature, music, art, and community. Most modern positive well-being movement arises from spiritual concepts like gratitude, awe, savoring, optimism, forgiveness, and acceptance.
How can spirituality Relieve stress?
- Feel a sense of purpose: It may help you uncover what is most meaningful in your life. By clarifying what’s most important, you can focus less on unimportant things and eliminate stress.
- Connect to the world: Having a purpose in the world can make you feel less lonely and lead to valuable inner peace during difficult times.
- Release control: Feeling part of a larger whole means you’re not responsible for everything. You can share both burdens and joys with those around you.
- Self-Transcendence: Improves healthy emotions like compassion, gratitude, admiration, love, and inspiration, which in turn makes us happy
- Expand your support network: Seeking spirituality will connect you to prayer groups, religious places, nature walks, or meditation groups.
- Lead a healthier life: People who consider themselves spiritual may better cope with stress and experience health benefits.
Does Religion Make You Healthy?
Religious involvement and spirituality are associated with better health outcomes, including greater longevity, coping skills, and health-related quality of life (even during terminal illness) and less anxiety, depression, and suicide. Religion and spirituality are among the most important cultural factors that give structure and meaning to human values, behaviors, and experiences. Gallup surveys over the years of the general population have consistently found that more than 92% of people believe in God or higher power.
What are the reasons that religion brings good health? Some research suggests that being religious promotes healthy behavior if practiced for centuries. Organized religious people have strong social support and belong to a like-minded community. Religious practices like prayers and meditation generate positive emotions like hope, gratitude, contentment, and forgiveness and lessen anguish and anger.
How to test Spirituality? You can look at this test developed by Robert Cloninger on the Portland University page.
How do you cultivate spirituality?
- Set goals: why are you here? What is the reason? Where do you want to go?
- Explore Curiosity and Creativity: Ask yourself and your faith simple questions. There are different ways to achieve these goals.
- Reading inspirational or spiritual literature can help you temporarily remove yourself from daily pressures and challenges.
- Meditation: Mindful meditation can help you answer difficult issues
- Practice Gratitude, accept powerlessness, and be humble to the higher power
- Prayer/ Chanting to stay focused
- Connect with nature
- Serve others: Community service and seeking purpose in life
Spirituality is like a personal treasure hunt for discovering deeper meaning and connection—like searching for Wi-Fi in a remote area, but so much more fulfilling! Instead of adhering to religious rules, it’s about exploring life’s big questions (like why socks disappear in the dryer) and striving to feel more connected, often through relaxing activities like meditation or simply soaking up nature. This quest helps you uncover your purpose, kick stress to the curb, and meet interesting people along the way. Plus, when you focus on the positive aspects, like practicing gratitude or spreading kindness, it’s like adding more fun stickers to your life—a wonderful boost for happiness and well-being! Ultimately, it’s a unique journey to discovering your inner zen and connecting with the universe!
Tarak Vasavada, MD
Medical director,
Live Well Foundation of Madison County Medical Society