Spirituality and Mental Health: Understanding the Connection
"We are physical, mental, and spiritual beings. If you don’t deal with all of life, you’re not going to get all that life has to offer.”
~Billy Cox
When you think about wellness what comes to mind?
You might think of physical fitness, healthy eating, or other habits that keep your body feeling good. You might picture spending time with family and friends, or in self-reflection, or reading and journaling to support your mental wellness.
But have you ever thought about your spiritual wellness? Whoa.
Spirituality and Religiosity 101
When we think about spirituality, we might also think of religion, or vice versa. While the two may overlap in some cases, there is actually a distinct difference between them. Because we tend to incorrectly use the words interchangeably; we can find ourselves in a land of confusion and misunderstanding with others.
Confusion and misunderstanding with others? No thanks!
Most people, The Mental Health Chick team included, value clear communication and connection in relationships. We are relational beings after all! In fact, two of our core needs are to love and be loved, and to belong. These needs are spiritual needs, and when our spiritual needs are met, we experience balance and our mental and physical health thrive.
When we don’t meet our spiritual needs, not only do our relationships struggle, but we can also experience an inner conflict, which can lead to harmful self-talk and other unhelpful behaviors and coping strategies.
Okay....but what do spiritual needs have to do with religion and mental health?!
Let’s start by defining a few things. Oxford Dictionary defines the word spirit as the "the part of a person that includes their mind, feelings and character rather than their body". In other words, our emotions stem from our spirit, which is this nonphysical inner piece of us. You may also call this the soul, as some sacred texts do.
Spirituality
The literal definition of the word spirituality is the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul. What it’s talking about is deeply held feelings and beliefs. Spirituality refers to a broad, personal, and subjective experience of seeking meaning, purpose, and connection with something greater than oneself. It is often focused on individual inner experiences, personal growth, self-realization, and the exploration of universal questions about life, existence, and the nature of reality. Spirituality can be pursued both within and outside the framework of organized religions. Here are some concepts around spirituality:
It’s personal. Spirituality is often seen as a personal, individualistic pursuit focused on developing a deeper connection with oneself, others, and the universe. It emphasizes personal experiences, introspection, and self-reflection. It also allows the incorporation of diverse cultural, philosophical and mystical traditions.
Spirituality is a very broad concept. Spiritual beliefs can include concepts like a “higher power” or the “divine” but not necessarily limited to a specific religious doctrine. Individuals can explore and express their spirituality in various ways, often drawing from multiple sources of inspiration.
Spiritual practices focus on inner growth. Spiritual practices often emphasize personal growth, self-awareness, mindfulness, and finding meaning and purpose in life. The emphasis is on developing one's inner qualities, values, and virtues.
Religion
Religion, on the other hand, is defined as a particular system of faith and worship, generally involving the belief in and worship of a supernatural power, especially God or gods. Religion often informs a person’s belief system about how to live their lives and what happens after death. In many religions, there are sacred texts that are considered guiding and authoritative. Religions often have established hierarchies, leaders, and organized rituals or services. Here are a few specifics:
Religions are organized belief systems. Religion typically involves adherence to a specific set of beliefs, teachings, rituals, and practices associated with a particular faith tradition or community. It often includes a hierarchical structure and organized religious institutions.
Community and traditions are honored. Religion fosters a sense of community, providing a framework for social interactions, shared values, and a common identity. It involves collective worship, religious ceremonies, and participation in communal activities.
Sacred texts provide guidance: Religions often have sacred texts, such as the Bible, Quran, or Vedas, which serve as authoritative sources of guidance and moral principles. There are defined beliefs and practices that followers are expected to uphold. Religions typically prescribe specific rituals, prayers, and observances that followers are highly encouraged to engage in. These rituals can include attending religious services, participating in sacraments, and following religious calendars.
Religious leaders have authority. Religious leaders, such as priests, pastors, or imams, play a significant role in interpreting religious teachings, conducting rituals, and guiding the religious community.
See any similarities?? Do you relate to anything in one category or the other, or both?
Studies show that many Americans fall into one of four categories when it comes to spirituality and religiosity:
29% identified as both spiritual and religious – spirituality is of personal importance and they regularly attend and value religious activities
18% identified as spiritual but not religious – spirituality is of personal importance but they do not regularly attend or hold as much value for religious activities
22% identified as not spiritual but religious – they regularly attend religious activities and value religion, but do not hold a personal interest in spirituality
31% identified as neither spiritual nor religious – neither spirituality nor religious activities are of personal interest or value
So now we know, there is a clear difference between religion and spirituality. But what do they have to do with mental health?
Mental health refers to a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Our spirit is the seat of our emotions, and our spirituality focuses on the well-being of our spirit. Our emotions are impacted by our spirituality. Engaging in spiritual or religious practices such as meditation or prayer can have positive impacts on our emotional wellness.
Our mental health affects how we think, feel, and act, and it also influences how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices in our lives. Our choices can also be heavily impacted by the beliefs and values we hold, and positive guidance can come from sacred texts associated with some religions.
Good mental health is characterized by a state of overall well-being, including positive self-esteem, the ability to cope with everyday stressors, maintain healthy relationships, and make meaningful contributions to society. Belonging, freedom of self-expression, and a purposeful life are spiritual needs that, as stated earlier, can impact our overall well-being if they go unmet.
If you’re starting to see a pattern here, you should! Our mind, body and spirit are all intricately woven together. When there is balance between them, we experience positive self-talk, a healthy lifestyle, and even healing. When you care for your spirit, you care for your whole self.
To your whole health,
