Be spiritual

Spirituality — broadly defined as a sense of connection to something larger than oneself — is consistently associated with better mental health, greater resilience, and deeper life satisfaction. Pargament's research on spirituality and health (1997) demonstrates that spiritual engagement provides a powerful meaning-making framework that helps people cope with suffering, loss, and uncertainty. Koenig's extensive review of religion, spirituality, and mental health (2009) found that spiritual practices are associated with lower rates of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, as well as greater social support and sense of purpose. Importantly, these benefits are not limited to organized religion — people who cultivate a personal spiritual practice, whether through meditation, nature connection, or philosophical reflection, also experience significant well-being gains. Spirituality provides answers to the existential questions that purely material success cannot address: Why am I here? What matters beyond my own survival?

• 1
  You feel a persistent sense of emptiness or meaninglessness that material success has not resolved
• 2
  You have abandoned spiritual practices that once provided comfort or orientation without replacing them
• 3
  You avoid reflecting on existential questions — purpose, mortality, meaning — because they feel uncomfortable
• 4
  You feel disconnected from anything larger than your immediate personal concerns

Consider these questions to understand where you stand: