Some people think it’s obvious that practicing spirituality leads to sound mental health. A study by Skylight found that people who frequently followed certain spiritual practices “reported less anxiety, stress, and sleep problems” than those who didn’t. Another study from Duke University claimed that “those who practice religion had better immune function” and physical health than those who didn’t. But this begs the question, what spiritual exercises or religion are these people practicing?
Distinguishing Between Harmful and Healthy Faith
It’s important to differentiate between religion and spirituality. Religion is harmful when it seeks to control people. But healthy spirituality can be liberating. There’s documented evidence that if the “religion” or faith one is following is ultimately controlling, manipulative, cultish, or abusive, then it causes mental health problems. That’s what happened to me and countless others who have shared their experiences deconstructing conservative Christianity, evangelicalism, and fundamentalism. My friend Heather Hamilton in her book, Returning to Eden, shared her experience having a nervous breakdown that she traced back to her harmful, evangelical past. She found healthy recovery when her harmful religion fell apart.
I went into clinical depression for four years that was attributed to religious trauma and my struggle being spiritually abused by evangelical communities and their theology. Only by deconstructing my faith and going through cognitive therapy did I recover. The point is, we must ensure we tap into healthy spirituality—one that allows people to think for themselves and doesn’t impose theological or religious control or instills fear of punishment. Healthy spirituality does indeed improve one’s mental health. Here are five ways it happens:
1 – When faith deconstruction is correcting harmful theology
The process of deconstructing one’s toxic faith does wonders for one’s mental health. It sets people free from belief systems that are fear-based and that rob them of self-determination and the freedom to choose one’s own path. Despite deconstruction being a difficult process, it addresses one’s doubts, and when it rebuilds one’s faith or a new spirituality, it ultimately boosts self-esteem, confidence, and personal peace. Deconstruction helped me overcome “aggravated depression” and religious “post traumatic stress disorder.” I shared how faith deconstruction helps in 10 Reasons for Thoroughly Deconstructing Evangelicalism.
2 – When principles of cognitive therapy are being practiced in rebuilding or maintaining healthy spirituality
Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people who struggle with anxiety and/or depression to train their brain to think differently. It’s what saved me when I was clinically depressed. When cognitive therapy is combined with spirituality it can be even more powerful. It can be used to reframe one’s view of the character of God and what true spirituality is. It can help expose dangerous religion and correct harmful theologies. It can help put people on a path to practice a healthy faith. One can benefit from cognitive therapy through a licensed therapist or through self study, for example by reading a book like Feeling Good.
3 – When one’s spirituality embraces universal, unconditional divine love
Believing in the concept of universal, unconditional divine love toward oneself and others is healing. So many times, either in a religious or family system, love is expressed and practiced conditionally. Individuals therefore perceive themselves as unworthy of true love and incapable of being accepted for who they are without jumping through religious hoops or meeting others’ expectations. It also causes fear of punishment, including hell, if one doesn’t measure up. But unconditional love, and one that is believed to be divine, can help people correct these harmful perceptions as well as overcome fear and anxiety. Moreover, when one learns how to forgive others when wronged—a component of unconditional love—it heals bitterness and anger. Even more powerful is when a community of people embraces unconditional love (whether they attribute it to the divine or not) and invite others to join them. Individuals can put boundaries in front of their past conditional love communities/systems and join a new community based on dignity, respect, and authentic love, without harmful religious/family/group conditions.
4 – When one’s spirituality focuses on gratitude
It’s really important that one’s spiritual beliefs and practices include a grateful approach to life. A lack of gratitude for life in general and other people in particular can cause bitterness and depression. But fusing spirituality with a practice of gratitude—regularly meditating on and expressing gratefulness for experiences, other people, and God (although believing in God is not necessary)—works wonders. Practicing gratitude for any matter of things builds a positive outlook on life and fosters joy.
5 – When one’s spirituality leads to service to others
Finally, the fifth way is when one practices love for neighbor (or enemy) in the form of personal or community service. Service to others over self creates an environment and mindset of harmony and genuine appreciation for both the server and the ones being served. These in turn create feelings of well-being and love. When the opposite occurs—when people are turned inwardly and practice selfishness—it creates feelings of ungratefulness, entitlement, and superiority. This harms relationships and fosters conflict rather than peace of mind. This can also happen when those in authority take advantage of service-oriented people and don’t give back to them. Service, ideally, shouldn’t be just one way. That’s why the love and serve commands are directed to be done to “one another.”
In conclusion, as long as spirituality is healthy, practicing it has a tremendous positive impact on mental health. On the other hand, if it’s a harmful faith or religion, it will have the opposite effect. If you want to learn how to differentiate the two, check out my book, Breaking Bad Faith. It’s what I call a “religious crap detector.” It separates the bullsh*t from the gold, thereby helping people expose harmful faith and embrace healthy faith. The result can vastly improve one’s mental health.
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