The Surprising Benefits of Spirituality

4 min readJun 4, 2019

In today’s modern world, many people find peace and serenity in finding what is sacred in life. Spiritualism — a belief in what is sacred — is not a new concept. Spiritualism became popular in the 1800s as a way to find comfort in times of grief. What are the benefits of being a spiritual person, and how can it help you in your life?

Spirituality has many benefits for adults and children alike.

What is spirituality?

Spirituality is anything that affects our human soul or spirit; it does not focus on material objects. Being spiritual is not inherently religious either. Although some people do seek spiritual comfort in religion, a person can be spiritual in non-religious ways, such as practicing yoga, meditation, personal reflection in writing, or finding comfort in nature.

What are the benefits of being a spiritual person?

The benefits of being a spiritual person are endless. However, here are a few great benefits that stand out more than most.

1. It’s good for your health. A recent study by the American Cancer Society states that patients with religious or spiritual practices have better health, more energy for daily tasks, and fewer symptoms during treatments. Patients with spiritual beliefs feel more purpose in life, as well as a connection to a higher power, which positively affects physical health. However, these benefits extend to anyone, regardless of health status.

2. Spirituality improves mental health. Famous psychoanalyst Carl Jung believed that religion was directly related to the psyche, and deeply rooted in the mind. By connecting to one’s own thoughts and feelings through spirituality, people are able to feel more hopeful and improve their self-esteem, which also improves mental health. Being spiritual also helps ward off depression. A study conducted by the American Journal of Psychology found that people with a spiritual practice of some kind reduced their depression by 75% over the ten-year study period.