Mental and existential/spiritual health are often intertwined. A strong sense of meaning and purpose can improve our mental health, while mental illness can affect our ability to experience meaning and connection. Both perspectives emphasise the importance of seeing the person as a whole. To achieve optimal health, we need to consider both our mental and existential/spiritual needs.
Support for self-reflection to improve our existential/spiritual health
Existential/spiritual health includes eight dimensions that together contribute to a deeper understanding of our place in the world and our purpose in life. These dimensions have been developed through research and global public health surveys, where the World Health Organization (WHO) has explored how people experience different aspects of health.
By exploring these dimensions, we can gain insight into how to create meaning, feel connected, and experience a sense of wholeness. Below is a summary of the eight dimensions with reflection questions for each.
1. Life – meaning and purpose
This is about feeling that life has a deeper meaning and purpose. This can be achieved by, for example, contributing to something greater than oneself, such as helping others, engaging in social issues, or pursuing passions and dreams. When we feel our life has meaning, it gives us motivation and strength to face life’s challenges.
Self-reflection:
- What feels most meaningful in your life right now? Why?
- What values do you want your life to reflect?
- How would you like others to remember you, and how does that connect to how you live today?
- Is there something you long to contribute to the world?
- What role do your relationships play in your sense of meaning?
2. Hope and optimism
Hope means having a positive outlook on the future and believing that things can improve. It’s about being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, even when life feels dark. Hope can give us the strength to keep going and to find solutions to problems.
Self-reflection:
- What are you looking forward to in the near future?
- What strengths have helped you get through difficulties in the past?
- Who or what gives you hope when you’re feeling down?
- When you look back on a tough chapter in life, what emerged afterwards?
- What might happen if you trusted the future more?
3. Harmony and inner peace
Inner peace is the feeling of calm and harmony within ourselves. It means being in balance with our emotions and thoughts, and being able to manage stress and worry in a constructive way. Inner peace can be achieved through meditation, mindfulness or time spent in nature.
Self-reflection:
- What is disturbing your inner peace right now? What do you need to let go of?
- During a typical day, when do you feel most in balance?
- What does an ideal day look like for you – with a focus on calm and presence?
- How do you handle inner conflicts – do you listen to yourself or avoid them?
- What place, ritual or time of day helps you reconnect with yourself?
4. Wholeness and integration
Wholeness and integration are about feeling balanced between different parts of life, such as work, leisure and relationships. It means being able to prioritise and make time for what matters to us; it’s also about feeling that we have control over our lives. When we experience wholeness, we feel more content and happy.
Self-reflection:
- Which part of your life currently receives most of your energy and which gets the least?
- How often do you say “yes” to things that don’t actually support your balance?
- What does a “well-balanced life” mean to you personally?
- What needs more space in your life for it to feel whole?
- How do you notice when you’re out of balance — what are the signs?
5. Faith as a resource
This is about having a belief or conviction that gives us strength and guidance in life. It can be religious faith, spiritual belief or a personal philosophy. A strong personal faith can help us cope with difficulties and find meaning in life’s challenges.
Self-reflection:
- What brings you comfort when life feels hard?
- What do you trust when everything else feels uncertain?
- Do you have a life principle, prayer, text or symbol that gives you strength?
- How has your faith or worldview changed over time?
- How does your faith influence your choices and priorities?
6. Existential/spiritual strength
Existential and spiritual strength means having the courage to face life’s challenges and being able to deal with difficulties in a constructive way. It’s about being resilient and able to recover from setbacks. Existential strength gives us the ability to stand firm even when life is tough.
Self-reflection:
- How do you define courage in your own life?
- When have you felt truly strong, despite tough circumstances?
- What has suffering taught you about yourself?
- Which people inspire you with their existential strength and why?
- How can you cultivate your resilience going forward?
7. Existential/spiritual connection
Connection is about feeling part of something greater — like a community, nature, or the universe. It means feeling a bond with other people and the world around us. When we feel connected, we experience a deeper sense of belonging and meaning.
Self-reflection:
- What or who makes you feel part of something larger?
- When do you feel most at home in the world?
- What does “belonging” mean to you?
- How does community affect your sense of identity?
- What role do nature, music, art, or spirituality play in your sense of connection?
8. Experience of wonder
Wonder is the ability to appreciate and feel gratitude for life’s small and large miracles. It could be a beautiful sunset, a child’s laughter, or a starry night. Wonder helps us see the beauty in the world and feel thankful for what we have.
Self-reflection:
- What takes your breath away with beauty or awe?
- When was the last time you lost track of time because you were completely absorbed in something?
- What everyday things do you often forget to appreciate?
- How can you cultivate curiosity in your daily life?
- What places, people, or experiences awaken your inner sense of wonder?