Similar to mental health, spiritual health can be stigmatized. This can be attributed to the fact that spirituality is often lumped together with religion: many believe that in order to be spiritual, one must be religious. However, this is not always the case: anyone can tend to their spiritual side, and in doing so, would be tending to their overall health and wellbeing.
It’s difficult to precisely define what spiritual health is because it tends to vary in meaning from person to person. To some, spiritual health is tied to organized religion and its practices. To others, it revolves around mindfulness, reflection, and peace of mind. What one person calls the “soul”, another might call “the mind”, “the psyche”, or the “inner being”. These concepts, especially spirituality, are often challenged by science because they cannot be empirically measured. However, some scholars argue against this, stating that spirituality is similar to social psychological constructs of self-worth and self-esteem . They assert that if these concepts are legitimatized despite not being tangible, then so too should spirituality.
Over time, there have been many attempts to create a scale of measurement for spiritual health in order to gain a better understanding of the concept. For example, The National Institute of Health and Family Welfare in New Delhi carried out an extensive study to test a spiritual scale of measurement . The study found that their scale could be used universally however, it had only been tested on a group of urban educated adults, limiting the scale’s generalizability.
One of the most mainstream practices rooted in spirituality is yoga. A Buddhist tradition, yoga has been practiced for millennia; mixing the mindfulness that meditation offers with physical health benefits as well. Yoga can ease one’s mind and body, improve mental focus and clarity, and establish a sense of self-control and discipline. Research suggests that there is a positive relation between spiritual wellness and positive health outcomes. Similarly, the practice of Mindfulness (introduced in 1979 by Jon Kabat-Zinn, and originated from Buddhist practice) has been shown to help with a surplus of matters; from depression and anxiety to a number of other clinical and non-clinical health issues.
Another activity that is spiritually-infused is prayer. Prayer is a common mode of worship in many religions, such as Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. For many people, prayer acts as an outlet to alleviate daily stressors by reflecting on other matters, which is part of the reason why prayer has been linked to improved health. Some engage in non-religious alternatives to praying, such as journaling. As with prayer, journaling allows an individual to reflect on their sense of self, their life, and daily occurrences. To some, the simple act of putting the events of the day onto paper can play a large role in managing their thoughts and emotions. Through reflection, one becomes more attuned to their self, which is a major step towards achieving spiritual wellness.
Apart from organized religion, some cultures have a distinct connection to spirituality. For instance, the worldview of Indigenous peoples is centred on the idea that one can only be at “full health” if they strike a balance in each part of the self: the physical, the emotional, the mental, and the spiritual self. This is starting to be acknowledged in healthcare institutes across Canada, where Indigenous health practices are slowly being incorporated. As of 2016, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Ontario opened a sweat lodge, a medicine garden, and a space for sacred fire on their premises- all of which are sacred modes of healing for Indigenous communities. CAMH is the first institute in Ontario to include such accommodations in their facility, with other hospitals around Canada following suit. For example, in the Yukon Territory, Whitehorse General Hospital recently introduced a First Nations Health Program (FNHP) which included traditional medicine and healing rooms.
Whether one is a devout religious individual; not attached to organized religion; or falls somewhere in-between, tending to spiritual health is an important step towards improving their overall well-being. Spirituality is an ever-evolving subject and the study of its relation to a person’s overall health is constantly developing as well. However, the increased awareness and usage of spiritual activities such as mediation, yoga, and mindfulness may suggest that the spiritual practices are here to stay.