Though it is not a prerequisite for a happy and fulfilling life, billions of people around the world see the intrinsic value of seeking out and building a deeper faith in a higher power. No matter what that path looks like for an individual, there is plenty of evidence suggesting such a mission of personal growth can pay dividends through multiple areas of an individual’s life. From mental to emotional to physical benefits, the following list includes a few of the most common ways a robust and active spiritual side could provide noticeable benefits.

Aiding in Stress Management

Our daily lives are each filled with unique struggles and problems in need of a solution. Nevertheless, life goes on and many people constantly battle against stress and anxiety as a result. Many organizations like The Way International, however, are focused on finding solace and peace through spirituality instead of external situations. Going beyond simply getting through a tense or uncertain period with poise, the right balance of spirituality could even allow a person to find joy and freedom amid the confusion. Through maintaining a focus on forces greater than themselves, spiritual people can be more honest in evaluating themselves and their circumstances. Self-actualization is an important part of resiliency in the face of stress, and faith can be an important method of improving that skill.

Promoting a Healthier Heart

While some of the benefits touted by proponents of faith can be difficult to quantify in objective terms, others are far more obvious. Some studies have included research linking an increase in spirituality to lower levels of hypertension. Beyond that, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence suggesting prayer and other forms of meditation have led to a wide array of healing and improvements. As it turns out, strengthening the spirit can potentially lead to physical benefits. Still, it is important to get feedback from a doctor or other medical professional to ensure all changes in psychological and physiological life are being undertaken responsibly.

Helping to Improve Character

Though a particular personality is unlikely to change in fundamental ways, there are specific characteristics of any person’s demeanor that have been shown to improve or flourish when met with a boost in spiritual thinking. Among the attributes most commonly linked to this phenomenon are grace and compassion. This can play out in countless ways throughout a person’s life, offering new chances each day to positively impact others in our community and beyond. There has also been some evidence that a person is capable of finding more joy in all realms of existence as he or she becomes more spiritual.
The initial motivation for increasing a focus on faith can vary for each individual. After taking those important first steps, however, there are likely to appear some common threads that seem to bind those in a similar pursuit. In the short list outlined above, it is clear that many people find relief in every area of their lives simply by honestly and earnestly exploring their own faith and spirituality.