As we kick off the month of March, we’re greeted by a multitude of spiritual observances. Dominique will begin fasting for Ramadan on March 11th allowing her mind and body its annual rejuvenation. Ellen will be celebrating Easter on March 31st reinforcing her Christian values and beliefs through family time and traditions. Hindi in the world will celebrate Holi on March 25th, marking spring followed by Holi play of smearing colors on friends and family.

At WUSUT, we recognize spirituality as one of our 5 dimensions of well-being. However, spirituality goes far beyond the idea of religion and culture. It encompasses personal beliefs, practices, experiences, and desires. We like to think of spirituality as a foundation for our sense of purpose or our calling in life. As we age and grow, our sense of purpose and our calling help put things into perspective to focus on what truly matters.

In this edition of the Age Disruptors Insider, we invite you to explore the essence of spirituality in many forms. While the days of March hold deep religious significance for many, we aim to disrupt our thinking about spirituality and see why it truly matters – to longevity and life!

Wake-Up!

Spirituality is a deeply personal journey, with each person interpreting it in their unique way. For some, spirituality involves religion, while others find spiritual fulfillment through non-religious practices such as meditation, time in nature, prayer, yoga, expressing gratitude, or other rituals and traditions. Regardless of your beliefs, spirituality serves as a means for you to connect with your inner self, cultivate a sense of purpose, and live true to yourself — connecting with your calling.

Spiritually connected individuals prioritize personal growth and fulfillment and therefore realign through each life transition. Just think about it, is your calling the same as it was 20 years ago? Spirituality is often considered a path toward self-actualization because it requires you to focus on your values and constantly work toward being and feeling better.

Research shows that we may even be pursuing spiritual connection more than ever…

For instance, while researching for our book, we learned that:

• The popularity of meditation has tripled since 2012 among individuals aged 45-64.
• The number of yogis has increased by over 50% in the US and a staggering 413% in Japan since 2012.

These trends suggest a shifting emphasis toward spiritual fulfillment and personal growth, highlighting the importance of aligning your values and choices with your personal and professional endeavors as you age. Identifying or reidentifying your calling has never been so important!

Shake-Up!

Longevity

Spirituality, particularly when linked to a sense of purpose, has been increasingly recognized as a key factor in enhancing longevity and overall well-being. Here’s how:

• Stress: Studies have shown that individuals who have a strong sense of purpose and spiritual connection tend to experience lower levels of stress and anxiety. By cultivating a deeper understanding of their calling in the world, individuals are better equipped to cope with life’s challenges and adversities.
• Health: Spiritually grounded individuals are more likely to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep. This proactive approach to self-care contributes to better physical health and resilience against age-related illnesses.
• Resilience: Spirituality provides a framework for resilience, enabling individuals to bounce back from setbacks and maintain a positive outlook in the face of adversity. This resilience plays a crucial role in mitigating the negative effects of stress on the body and mind, ultimately promoting longevity.
• Social Connections: A sense of purpose often leads to deeper social connections and community engagement. Meaningful relationships and a supportive social network have been linked to improved emotional well-being and longevity, as they provide a sense of belonging and purposeful interaction.
• Serenity: Spirituality fosters a sense of inner peace, fulfillment, and contentment, all of which contribute to overall psychological well-being. Individuals who feel connected to something greater than themselves tend to experience greater life satisfaction and a more positive outlook on aging.

Work Fulfilment

One of the most common reasons people quit their jobs – especially those over 50 – is because they are not (or no longer) aligned spiritually. Spirituality plays a pivotal role in shaping our sense of purpose and fulfillment in the workplace and McKinsey reports that a staggering 70% of employees attribute their sense of purpose largely to their work. This profound connection to professional endeavors outweighs paychecks and performance metrics, highlighting the intrinsic value and meaning individuals get from their jobs.

Furthermore, spirituality fosters a sense of unity and cohesion within organizations. Employees who feel spiritually aligned with their work report experiencing a sense of togetherness, contributing to a harmonious workplace culture, and reducing employee turnover. Research also indicates that integrating spiritual practices into daily life can yield a multitude of benefits, ranging from improved overall well-being and productivity to reduced absenteeism, burnout, and workplace stress. Individuals who prioritize their spiritual growth often exhibit higher levels of motivation, commitment, and job satisfaction, leading to enhanced employee morale and work performance.

“Feeling fulfilled and, yes, happy, is the foundation of wellbeing – both at work and in life. The research supports the very simple fact that “when employees are thriving in their lives — when their wellbeing is strong and only getting stronger — they make their organizations stronger too.”  — Gallup and WorkHuman, 2023

Thrive!

Spirituality is not about rules but about values, choices, and growth which are ever-evolving throughout our lives. Those who value spirituality take the time to reflect on their daily activities and ultimately experience more positive emotions associated with the smaller pleasures in life.

As we conclude this glimpse into spirituality and its impact on well-being and longevity, we encourage you to take a moment for introspection and reflection. Ask yourself the following questions:

By exploring these questions with sincerity and openness, you will gain insight into the alignment between your spiritual aspirations and your daily existence. Remember, the time for growth and self-discovery is now, so embrace the opportunity to shake-up your spiritual dimension.

Your thriving future awaits, ready to be shaped by your choices and intentions! Seize the moment to cultivate a deeper connection with your inner self, discover (or re-discover) your calling to unleash your full potential.

“Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny.” — Mahatma Gandhi

If you believe your organization would benefit from some alignment or re-alignment in the dimensions of purpose, life balance, or the aging demographic, contact us about a tailored “Life-Balance For Resilience” workshop and/or our WUSUT Check-Up for leadership. We support organizations to:

• Understand the cost of not anticipating workforce retention impacted by demographic trends.
• Position their organization as an industry leader through updated Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.
• Reinforce their organization’s ability to conquer business challenges.
• Reduce absenteeism and turnover to increase productivity.

Happy March! Thrivingly,

Ellen & Dominique