Spiritual Wellness

How is YOUR spiritual wellness?

The Internet's FIRST
FREE,
non-religious,
32-question
self-assessment
will help you understand the current state of your spiritual wellness
and help you track your progress.

Where did the concept of "spiritual wellness" come from?

The term "spiritual wellness" does not have a single origin like some other wellness concepts, but it emerged as part of the broader holistic wellness movement that gained traction in the late 20th century.

However, the concept of spiritual wellness—the idea that spiritual health is an important and integrated part of overall well-being—was influenced by several figures and movements that emphasized the importance of spirituality in maintaining balance and harmony in life. While the exact origin of the term "spiritual wellness" is not attributed to one individual, it evolved from broader holistic health and wellness models that recognized the importance of spirituality in a person's well-being.

Influences and Evolution

• Religion and Philosophy: Spiritual wellness has always been influenced by various religious and philosophical traditions, such as Buddhism, Taoism, Western mysticism, and Christian contemplative practices. These traditions have long incorporated concepts of well-being that emphasize inner peace, a sense of purpose, and connection to a higher power or universal force.

• World Health Organization (WHO): In 1946, the WHO defined health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." This definition predated Dunn’s work and reinforced the holistic concept of health, blending physical, mental, and social aspects of well-being.

• Halbert L. Dunn: In the 1950s, Halbert L. Dunn is credited with coining the term "wellness" and was one of the first to promote the idea of health as more than just the absence of disease. He envisioned wellness as a proactive approach to living well, emphasizing a person's ability to realize their full potential. Dunn introduced the concept in his book "High-Level Wellness: A Collection of Papers" published in 1961, where he described wellness as a dynamic, ongoing process of achieving balance and self-actualization.

  Dunn’s wellness model included a broader focus on mental, physical, and social health, laying the groundwork for more comprehensive models of wellness in the years that followed.

• The Human Potential Movement (1960s-1970s): The Human Potential Movement, which flourished in the 1960s and 1970s, emphasized personal growth, self-actualization, and the integration of spiritual practices as part of mental and physical well-being. This movement laid a philosophical foundation for thinking about spirituality as an essential aspect of wellness, encouraging individuals to explore their spiritual needs and values for greater self-awareness and personal fulfillment.

• Dr. John Travis and the Wellness Continuum: In the 1970s, Dr. John W. Travis, a physician and health educator, developed the Wellness Continuum, which illustrated health as a spectrum, ranging from illness to high-level wellness. This model expanded on the idea of wellness to include spirituality as part of overall well-being, acknowledging that spiritual health is integral to a person's overall life satisfaction and sense of purpose.

• Popularization of "Spiritual Wellness": The term "spiritual wellness" itself started becoming more commonly used as wellness models expanded in the 1980s and 1990s, particularly within health and wellness literature, schools, and counseling programs. In these contexts, spiritual wellness was defined as the ability to find meaning, purpose, and connection in life, which could be achieved through religious or non-religious practices.

• SAMHSA's 8 Dimensions of Wellness: The modern 8 Dimensions of Wellness, developed by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) in the early 2000s, expanded on earlier ideas of holistic health, integrating physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, environmental, and financial wellness. This model is widely adopted today and reflects the holistic view of health promoted by figures like Dunn, Travis, and others.

Original Graphic Depicting the 8 Dimensions of Wellness as a Web

How is YOUR spiritual wellness?

This FREE,
original,
non-religious,
32-question
self-assessment
will help you understand the current state of your spiritual wellness
and help you track your progress.

11 Tips to Improve Your Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual wellness requires consistent maintenance just like any other aspect of your wellness.

1. Regularly engage in self-care that benefits your wellness in the long-term.

2. Regularly help other beings in need, either informally or through volunteering.

3. Regularly enact meaningful spiritual practices or rituals.

4. Regularly spend quality time with your higher power(s). (God, The Universe, The Divine, Spirit Guides, Ancestors, Angels, Ideal Self, Nature, Community, etc.)

5. Regularly revisit and clarify your top values, guiding moral principles, and spiritual beliefs.

6. Regularly intentionally live out your values, morals, and beliefs about the spiritual path in your everyday life.

7. Regularly reflect on your past experiences, lessons learned, life purpose or potential, who you are, and the future you wish to create.

8. Regularly learn about another person's spirituality.

9. Regularly question what you believe, how empowering and healthy those beliefs are, and how you know that something is True for you.

10. Regularly spend time speaking with a spiritual wellness coach or spiritual director about your spiritual path.

11. Regularly participate in an inspiring spiritual community of supportive people who welcome you and your questions.

How is YOUR spiritual wellness?

The Internet's FIRST
FREE,
non-religious,
32-question
self-assessment
will help you understand the current state of your spiritual wellness
and help you track your progress.

Still have questions?