The Impact of Spirituality

What is spirituality?  My favorite definition comes from author Kenneth Pargament who describes it as “the search for the sacred.” Spirituality is a broad concept suggesting that there is more to life than our material existence and a greater power that connects us. Spirituality seeks to answer many of our deeper questions like why we exist, how the universe was formed, and what our purpose in life is. The search for these sacred answers is an individualized journey with many different practices and applications that can help us learn how to better understand ourselves as individuals, form deeper connections with others, experience hope in adversity, and cultivate lives rich with meaning and purpose. 

Many intertwine spirituality and religion but there are important differences to note. Elizabeth Scott explains it well when she writes that spirituality can be practiced individually, doesn’t have to adhere to a specific set of rules, and often focuses on a personal journey to find what is important in life. Religion is often practiced in a community, is usually based on a specific set of rules and customs, and often focuses on a deity or religious text. 

Research continues to evidence the positive effects of incorporating spiritual practices into everyday life. One study showed that those who engage in spiritual interventions experience better health overall, less reactivity, less depression, less hypertension, more feelings of positivity and optimism, deeper social involvement, and greater psychological wellbeing. The practice of prayer in particular was linked to a greater ability to handle stress. These findings are noteworthy because they demonstrate in a scientific way that our mental, emotional, and physical health improves when we engage ourselves spiritually. If you are interested in integrating spirituality into your therapeutic journey, Resolve can connect you with therapists specifically trained to do so in an open-minded, safe, and confidential space. Stay tuned for another post about what some of these spiritual interventions include.  

-Jeri Sullivant

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Whitehead BR, Bergeman CS. Coping with daily stress: Differential role of spiritual experience on daily positive and negative affect. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2012;67(4):456-459. doi:10.1093/geronb/gbr136 

Wachholtz AB, Sambamthoori U. National trends in prayer use as a coping mechanism for depression: Changes from 2002 to 2007. J Relig Health. 2013;52(4):1356-68. doi:10.1007/s10943-012-9649-y