Drinking water, check.
Journalling, check.
Knitting, check.
A walk in the park, check.
Till a few years back, I always made it a point to take good care of my mental health. In fact, I maintained a checklist of feel-good activities, such as taking a walk in the park and staying hydrated. I even pursued hobbies to keep my thoughts calm. I was doing everything I could to keep the blues away and yet something still felt off. It felt like a piece of the puzzle was missing. That is when my sister pointed out to me, “Sis, your checklist looks great, but I don’t see anything about spirituality on it? Maybe give that a try?”
At first, I was unsure. I always saw spirituality as something rather vague. But she explained to me that it wasn’t about religion or rituals but about feeling connected. Bonding to something bigger than yourself and then feeling peace and finding meaning and purpose through it.
My sister also told me about Dr Lisa Miller, an American professor, researcher and psychologist and author of the book, Awakened Brain. In her book, Dr Miller explores how spiritual connection is not just comforting, it can protect us against depression, boost resilience and help us live more fulfilling lives. Her research shows that people who engage with their spiritual side, whether through prayer, gratitude or reflection, often feel more hopeful, less anxious and more connected. I then realised that spirituality is not just an add-on, it is an integral part of human healing and mental wellbeing. And maybe, it could be the missing link I overlooked.
So, let’s explore how spirituality can be great for our mental health and wellbeing.
One of the most agreed-upon facts in our lives is that it is not always easy. We all face setbacks, pain, uncertainty and chaos. And this is where spirituality can play a powerful role. It can act as a compass during tough moments, offering us a bigger perspective and helping us find meaning in our challenges. When one starts believing that there’s something greater at play, be it the universe, god, nature or a higher purpose, it becomes easier to make peace with things that we cannot control.
Research too shows that a strong sense of meaning is linked to lower levels of depression and better emotional wellbeing. In fact, a research published in BMC Psychiatry in 2020 found that the presence of meaning and the search for meaning in life among Chinese students acted as a shield against suicidal tendencies. This means that having a connection that makes our belief system stronger is indeed a protection.
One of the biggest challenges that many of us face when it comes to our mental wellbeing is the lack of emotional resilience. Life throws unexpected challenges at us from time to time. Without a strong inner support, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This is where spirituality can make a real difference. Clinical psychologist and researcher Dr Lisa Miller, in her book The Awakened Brain, explains how spiritual practices can help build emotional resilience. Her studies reveal that people who engage in spirituality show healthier brain patterns, a factor which tends to protect many from depression.
Research also shows that spirituality helps develop an inner foundation that helps people bounce back from the lows of life. When we no longer react to challenges and are responding with clarity instead, it starts to steadily but surely impact our wellbeing in a positive way.
Spirituality often helps people feel more connected to themselves, to others and to the world around them. Whether through meditation, prayer or acts of kindness, it fosters a sense of being part of something bigger. And this connection can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
When you know you belong somewhere not just socially but spiritually, it nurtures a sense of peace within. A 2023 study in BMC Geriatrics, conducted by T Muhammad, Manacy Pai, K Afsal, Priya Saravanakumar and CV Irshad, found that spirituality, along with religious participation, helped weaken the negative impact of loneliness on the life satisfaction of the elderly.
So, including spirituality in our daily life can indeed be great for our mental wellbeing at any age.
In today’s world, we are surrounded by distractions aplenty. Be it the constant notifications on our phones, new OTT releases or even client emails during the weekend. When there are so many distractions, it’s easy to lose touch with our thoughts and emotions. However, amidst all this chaos, spirituality invites us to slow down.
Interestingly, a 2021 study conducted by Stephanie Dorias and Daniel Gutierrez showed that the impact of centering prayer among college students was significant—they showed reduced stress and improved mindfulness.
Practices like meditation or breathwork with spiritual intent allows us to reflect and reconnect with ourselves. This inner calm is not just soothing, it teaches us to process our feelings in a healthy way. And over time, it can reduce anxiety, quieten our inner critic and help us approach life with clarity.
“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” — Meister Eckhart.
This quote by the German theologian captures the real essence of spirituality. It has been observed that most spiritual paths emphasise on gratitude, compassion and forgiveness, qualities that are scientifically proven to boost mental health. When we start seeing life through a spiritual lens, we begin to notice the good, let go of grudges and treat ourselves and others more gently. These shifts in attitude can, in turn, improve our relationships, increase life satisfaction and build emotional strength.
So, if one’s mental health is a priority and even having a checklist of feel-good things makes them feel like something is missing, maybe it’s time to look inward. Spirituality does not require perfection; it simply needs one’s presence—to find stillness, connection and deeper meaning in life.
Spirituality can give you a sense of purpose, inner peace and connection. Spiritual healing also improves emotional wellbeing over time.
Spirituality isn’t just about religion. It can be as simple as spending time in nature, meditating, being grateful and feeling connected to something greater than yourself.
Spirituality and mental health go hand in hand. When life feels overwhelming, spirituality can offer comfort and meaning. Even when things don’t go as planned, spirituality can help you find hope.
Research by Dr Lisa Miller and other experts shows that spiritual practices can strengthen parts of the brain that protect against depression and build emotional resilience.
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