Physiology & Psychology of the Benefits of a Spiritual Approach
This is the reality and the context:
75-90%
of human diseases are related to the activation of stress system
60-80%
of primary care visits have a stress-related component
Spirituality has inherent dynamics that work through the autonomic nervous system – the neuroendocrinal system – to reduce stress. Each of these elements reduces the production of the stress hormones, such adrenalin and cortisol, and sustains a more beneficial cocktail of wellbeing neuropeptides (hormones), such as endorphins, oxytocin and serotonin.
To state it more clearly:
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- Ill health is painful tissue that is enflamed and has lost flexibility.
- Good health is pain-free tissue that is flexible.
The elements of spirituality that reduce stress and enable wellbeing are:
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- Being kind and compassionate.
- Life has meaning and is a journey of learning and development.
- A sense of relationship, support and community with a greater reality.
- Moments of magic and awe – some small, some great.
- Open-minded curiosity and wondering about the mysteries of life.
- Spiritual practices such as pilgrimage, meditation, prayer, ceremony, etc.
All of these reduce the stress and survival arousals, and support a positive physio-psychological experience of life.
Humanist and Atheist Scepticism
It is good to acknowledge that there is an argument that there is no greater reality or magic – and that everything called ‘spiritual’ is just an epiphenomenon of the brain and is the result of what has sometimes been called the ‘god spot’ in the brain.
We would respond to this view by suggesting that it is similar to stating that all the images and sound from a television are created by little people inside the television.
There is a beauty, wonder and mystery to life, we would suggest, that is obvious – by whatever name you call it.
Our definition of spiritual wellbeing:
Calm, connected and confident whatever your circumstances
The following diagram is from: Dominguez, L.J., Veronese, N. & Barbagallo, M. The link between spirituality and longevity. Aging Clin Exp Res 36, 32 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-023-02684-5
