A woman meditating

Spirituality

Research shows there is a major link between spirituality and mental health, particularly when it comes to stress reduction. These benefits are not exclusive to religion, and can be gained in whatever way you choose to connect with something larger than yourself. Learn how positivity and spirituality can benefit your overall mental well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can spirituality or religion benefit mental health?

    Studies show spirituality and religion can help people deal with the effects of everyday stress. For older adults, in particular, spirituality can enhance positive feelings and ease negative ones.

  • How is mental health different from spiritual health?

    Spiritual health differs from mental health in that spiritual health refers to health of the soul or spirit, and mental health refers to health of the mind and psyche.

  • How does spirituality impact the brain?

    Spiritual experiences have the power to shift perceptions of reality and activate regions in the brain responsible for decreasing stress. Positive spiritual experiences can also activate the same reward centers in the brain as other pleasurable activities.