What Is Spiritual Wellness? Meaning, Examples and How to Nurture It
A clear explanation of spiritual wellness as one of the eight dimensions of wellness, how it differs from religion, signs of strong and struggling spiritual wellness, what research says about spirituality and health, and practical ways to nurture it whatever you believe.
When people hear the word "spiritual," they often think of religion: church, temple, mosque, prayer or scripture. And for many people, spiritual wellness is deeply connected to their faith. But spiritual wellness is broader than any single religion. It's about meaning, purpose, values and a sense of connection to something larger than yourself. That might be God, nature, humanity, the universe or simply the people and causes you love.
Spiritual wellness is one of the eight dimensions of wellness, alongside emotional, physical, social, intellectual, occupational, financial and environmental wellness. Our guide to the 8 dimensions of wellness explains how they all fit together. Spiritual wellness often acts as a kind of anchor, helping us stay steady when life gets hard and giving direction to everything else.
What is spiritual wellness?
Spiritual wellness is about finding meaning and purpose in life, living in line with your values and feeling connected to something beyond yourself. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which helped popularize the eight dimensions model, describes spiritual wellness as expanding our sense of purpose and meaning in life.
Spiritual wellness can include:
- A sense of purpose
- Clear personal values
- Inner peace
- Hope and optimism
- Compassion and forgiveness
- Gratitude
- Connection to nature, community or a higher power
- Reflection on life's big questions
Spirituality vs. religion
Spirituality and religion often overlap, but they're not the same.
| Religion | Spirituality | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Organized beliefs, practices and community | Personal and often flexible |
| Community | Usually shared with a faith community | Can be individual or shared |
| Beliefs | Defined teachings and traditions | Personal beliefs about meaning and connection |
| Examples | Attending services, prayer, scripture study | Meditation, nature, reflection, values-based living |
Many people are both religious and spiritual. Others identify as "spiritual but not religious." Some are religious but don't think of themselves as spiritual. And some people with no religious or spiritual beliefs still find meaning, purpose and connection in their lives, which is spiritual wellness too.
A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that about 70 percent of U.S. adults described themselves as spiritual in some way, showing just how widespread these experiences are.
Signs of strong spiritual wellness
- You have a sense of purpose or direction
- You know what you value and try to live by it
- You feel a sense of inner peace, even during challenges
- You can find meaning in difficult experiences
- You feel connected to others, nature or something larger
- You practice gratitude and compassion
- You make time for reflection
- You can forgive yourself and others
Signs your spiritual wellness may need attention
- Feeling empty, lost or without direction
- Feeling disconnected from yourself or others
- Struggling to find meaning
- Feeling your actions don't match your values
- Persistent cynicism or hopelessness
- Difficulty finding peace
- Feeling like you're just going through the motions
What research says about spirituality and health
Research on spirituality and health is complex, but several patterns have emerged:
- Purpose and longevity. Studies have linked having a strong sense of purpose in life with lower risk of death and better health outcomes. A 2019 study published in JAMA Network Open found that adults with a stronger sense of life purpose had lower mortality over the study period. Our guide to sense of purpose explores this research.
- Religious participation. Research led by Tyler VanderWeele and colleagues at Harvard has found that regular attendance at religious services is associated with lower rates of depression and longer life, possibly due in part to community and social support.
- Mindfulness and meditation. Contemplative practices have been linked with reduced stress, anxiety and depression for many people. See our guide to what is mindfulness.
- Gratitude. Gratitude practices are associated with greater wellbeing. See our guide to the gratitude journal.
- Awe. Experiences of awe have been linked with lower stress and greater feelings of connection. See our guide to awe walks.
Much of this research shows associations rather than cause and effect, but together it suggests that meaning, purpose and connection matter for health.
How to nurture your spiritual wellness
There's no single right way. Choose practices that feel meaningful to you.
1. Clarify your values
Knowing what matters most helps you make choices with integrity. Our guide to finding your values has simple exercises.
2. Practice mindfulness or meditation
Even a few minutes a day can bring calm and clarity. Our guides to how to meditate without an app, body scan meditation and walking meditation offer simple starting points.
3. Spend time in nature
Nature can bring perspective, peace and a sense of connection. Our guide to forest bathing explains this Japanese practice.
4. Practice gratitude
Writing down what you're grateful for can shift your focus toward what's good.
5. Reflect and journal
Journaling helps you explore your thoughts, beliefs and experiences. Our guide to journaling for self-reflection has prompts.
6. Connect with a community
Faith communities, meditation groups, volunteer organizations and other groups can offer belonging and shared meaning.
7. Serve others
Helping others is a powerful source of purpose. See our guide to volunteering and wellbeing.
8. Practice forgiveness
Letting go of resentment can bring peace. Our guide to forgiveness explains how.
9. Explore your beliefs
Read spiritual or philosophical texts, attend services or talks, or have deep conversations with people whose views you respect.
10. Make time for rest
Regular rest, like a weekly digital sabbath, creates space for reflection and renewal.
11. Practice loving-kindness
Wishing yourself and others well can build compassion and connection. See our guide to loving-kindness meditation.
12. Seek awe
Look for moments of wonder in everyday life: a starry sky, a piece of music, a kind act.
Spiritual wellness during hard times
When life is hard, spiritual practices can offer steadiness and hope. They may help you find meaning in suffering, connect with others and draw on inner strength. Our guide to finding meaning in hard times explores this more deeply.
Spiritual wellness and the other dimensions
Spiritual wellness connects closely with:
- Emotional wellness, through inner peace, compassion and resilience
- Social wellness, through community and connection
- Occupational wellness, through meaningful work aligned with your values
- Environmental wellness, through a sense of connection to nature
- Physical wellness, through mind-body practices like yoga and tai chi. See our guide to qigong and tai chi for beginners.
A simple spiritual wellness check-in
Once a month, take a few quiet minutes to ask yourself:
- Meaning: What gave my life meaning this month?
- Values: Did my choices line up with what matters most to me? Where did they drift?
- Connection: When did I feel connected to something bigger than myself?
- Peace: What brought me calm? What stole it?
- Gratitude: What am I most thankful for right now?
- Growth: What's one small practice I'd like to try or return to next month?
There are no right or wrong answers. The point is simply to pause and pay attention to the deeper side of your life, which is so easy to neglect when days are full.
Spiritual wellness at different stages of life
Spiritual wellness can look different across a lifetime. For young adults, it might mean exploring beliefs, values and identity. For people in the busy middle years, it might mean finding small moments of peace and purpose amid work and family. For older adults, it often involves reflection, legacy and making peace with the past. At every stage, the core is the same: a sense of meaning, connection and inner steadiness. Wherever you are, it's never too early or too late to nurture it.
Frequently asked questions
What is spiritual wellness?
Spiritual wellness is about having meaning and purpose in life, living by your values and feeling connected to something larger than yourself.
Do you have to be religious to have spiritual wellness?
No. Spiritual wellness can include religion, but it can also come from nature, meditation, values, relationships, art or service to others.
What are examples of spiritual wellness activities?
Examples include meditation, prayer, journaling, spending time in nature, practicing gratitude, volunteering, attending religious services and reflecting on your values.
Why is spiritual wellness important?
Spiritual wellness can provide meaning, purpose, inner peace and resilience, and research has linked purpose and connection with better health and wellbeing.
How can I improve my spiritual wellness?
Clarify your values, practice mindfulness, spend time in nature, journal, practice gratitude, connect with a community and serve others.
Meaning, purpose and connection belong to everyone. See how your spiritual wellness is doing with our free wellness wheel quiz.
