Why Spiritual Health Is Important for Human Well-Being
In previous centuries, religion played a very important role in people’s lives. This happened because people, throughout history and by their nature, look for a connection with something greater than themselves. Something that gives meaning.
Slowly, religion started to lose its popularity and materialism became dominant.
The extreme consumerism of recent years made people more attached to material things.
A large part of the population lost its moral compass, resulting in people functioning like airplanes without a pilot in the cockpit.
The result is less socialization (even though on the internet we have social media) and more unhappiness and mental illnesses.
The lack of a sense of purpose and meaning increases our unhappiness.
In this article we will discuss why having a purpose that is not exclusively about yourself (spiritual health) is important for a balanced life.
First, I should clarify that everything I write on this blog is opinion based on my personal experiences. I do not have any professional or academic connection to mental health.
According to the McKinsey Health Institute:
“Spiritual health encompasses having meaning in one’s life, a sense of connection to something larger than oneself, and a sense of purpose. Finding this meaning is associated with strong mental, social, and physical health.”
This of course does not mean that spiritual health is necessarily defined as believing in an organized religion.
Spirituality is believing in a purpose greater than yourself and in some higher power.
A purpose does not need to be something grand. We do not need to change the world or become famous. It can be helping the community, creating art, protecting animals, helping people who face difficulties, or trying to leave the world a little better than we found it. What matters is having something that goes beyond the narrow limits of ourselves and gives us a reason to keep going.
From my personal experience, when I was homeless in Greece, this spiritual part of myself helped me cope with difficulties and remain mentally healthy and balanced.
Even though I do not believe in any religion, my belief in a higher power, in energies, and most importantly in the community and the good sides of human beings, helped me get back on my feet again.
Now I work. I live in the house that I rent and I try as much as I can to contribute positively to society.
That is why I created this blog, as an effort to offer a piece of information or two to my fellow human beings.
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