Spirituality: The Overlooked Key to Stress Management in a Burnout Era

Today’s high demanding workload has created a corporate crisis in conjunction with a personal burden. According to WHO, with the rise of technology the demands and loads of projects that are placed on people to complete within a limited time have all created a “worldwide epidemic” – most heart disease, depression, and burnout have been linked to chronic stress from work (Gallup, 2003). The condition is costing our global economy over $8.8 trillion annually due to loss in productivity and low employee engagement all tied to burnout and workplace stress (Gallup, 2003). Though there are education systems that are increasing the need and application of stress management training for workers to mediate workplace demands with personal life balance, research shows that these efforts make little to no difference at all, especially for newer generations who are already in a burnout state as they enter the workforce. In comparison, older generations handle workplace stress with a certain resilience that has yet to be understood. Some research points to spirituality, defined as “a broad concept that involves a sense of connection to something greater than oneself, which can include a search for meaning in life, a sense of purpose, or a connection to the sacred or divine” (APA, 2023). Could this be the mitigating factor that today’s workforce has overlooked? 

Stress Management In Schools

For the first time in educational history, students are learning about stress management as a core skill. Education models such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) are now introducing concepts such as emotional regulation and mindfulness into curriculums in over 5,000 schools globally, starting as early as the age of three and using programs such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) (International Baccalaureate Organization, 2020). PISA’s assessments have shaped the educational policies to prioritize well-being alongside academics (OECD, 2023), while WEF has an educational framework that champions mental health as an essential foundation for students in the future (WEF, 2024). The mission is to enhance academic success while equipping students with the stress management and support they need to ensure a holistic well-being and build resilience in their adulthood (Dunning et al., 2019; Kuyken et al., 2013). 

The Quiet Strength of Older Generations

Older generations and workers such as the Baby Boomers and Gen X did not grow up with mindfulness apps or stress workshops – their sense of resilience was intuitive and forged through trial and error. However, in surveys and research, these two generations stressed spirituality as a foundation in their work ethic, be it prayer or long walks, which showed lower stress and higher emotional strength (Manning et al., 2020). Similar findings were reported in the Journal of Aging and Health which tied spiritual practices to better mental health in later life (Lawler-Row & Elliott, 2009). This is not to say that older generations’ 80-hour weeks and recessions were not a challenge—it shows that despite those challenges, both generations came out unfazed. According to research findings by Koenig (2012), “Spirituality provides a framework for finding meaning in adversity, which is a powerful antidote to stress.” The theory is that spirituality reframes challenges as just a small part of a larger narrative and as such, trains the mind to have a psychological edge. 

How Spirituality Tames Stress

Though spirituality is usually associated with religion, the fact is that the concept revolves around the quest for connection to a form of higher power such as nature or purpose. Mindfulness meditation, for instance, is rooted in the spiritual traditions that were created to reduce cortisol or otherwise promote well-being (Pascoe et al., 2017). By focusing on the present, the body physiologically flips from fight-or-flight mode to a calm state that reduces inflammation tied to stress. Other studies noted that its practice creates meaning in life, akin to post-traumatic growth, and perceivers begin to accept challenges as parts of personal evolution (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004). 

Research has also tied spiritual hallmarks with purpose in life and noted a 17% lower mortality risk associated with that (Dominguez et al., 2024; Cohen et al., 2016). In another work, Li et al. (2016) discovered that people who attend spiritual communities and frequent religious services have a 33% lower mortality risk because of the stress relief that the activity offers. One example is the story of Maria, a 62-year-old manager who turned to meditation and church after a company layoff. She stated, “It wasn’t just about relaxing…It was knowing there’s a bigger picture” (Chen et al. 2018). Her body had a lower cortisol and more stable mental health than before, and the concept and practice of spirituality gave her both calm and context. Neither one of these tools are found in formal training. 

Gen Z’s Burnout: A Spiritual Void?

The 2021 American Psychological Association’s (APA) survey found that approximately 46% of Gen Z adults perceive work as a top stressor (APA, 2021). Despite their training on mindfulness and managing a work-life balance, Gen Z experiences higher burnout rates than previous generations. When their perception of work is coupled with economic instability, social media distractions, job competition, and rising obstacles and demands for work and education, few if any Gen Z workers think of or turn to spirituality as a source of calm. In fact, only 40% of Gen Z see religion as “very important,” versus 53% of Boomers, and they reject the concept behind organized faith due to its history and perceived limitations (Pew Research Center, 2019). This rejection matters because multiple research studies have found that the practice of spirituality among young adults produced lower burnout and higher satisfaction, even beyond mindfulness training (Barton & Miller, 2022). Generally, a practice or technique alone falls short of giving purpose when there are no deeper questions around the “why.” Older generations return back to the “why” instinctively, even if it means believing that there is a “higher plan.” 

A Workplace Revolution

Workplaces and organizations have struggled to include stress management into their environments as is, but their incorporation of yoga breaks is not enough to nurture the whole person. Spirituality cannot be forced any more than any other philosophy or activity can be, so installing meditation rooms or prayer spaces would not tempt workers to use them. The secret lies in giving meaning to the action. For instance, Google offers mindfulness classes, but their work ethic is to provide purpose-driven work that aligns with values because they cut out stress markers (Chen et al., 2018). For Gen Z specifically, if their skills are paired with spiritual exploration, they have a lower likelihood of being burnt out; for older workers, the wisdom and experiences they had with spirituality could fuel mentorship opportunities to maneuver through workplace resilience. Sharing meaning that is related to a spiritual connection not only boosts adaptability but also curbs the risk of burnout (Sutcliffe & Vogues, 2020). 

The Path Ahead

Stress is inevitable; our response isn’t. Older generations and research on spirituality show that the concept builds a resilience that cannot be taught but rather experienced for oneself. By blending formal tools alongside spiritual exploration, you can unlock a thriving workforce rather than a one living on edge.

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References

• American Institute of Stress. (2019). Workplace stress. https://www.stress.org/workplace-stress
• American Psychological Association. (2021). Stress in America: Generation Z. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2021/sia-generation-z.pdf
• Barton, Y. A., & Miller, L. (2022). Spirituality and burnout among young adults: The moderating role of mindfulness. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 14(2), 183-192.
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• Pascoe, M. C., Thompson, D. R., Jenkins, Z. M., & Ski, C. F. (2017). Mindfulness mediates the physiological markers of stress: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 95, 156-178.
• Pew Research Center. (2019). In U.S., decline of Christianity continues at rapid pace. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/
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Aksinia Müller is a human resources expert, executive coach, and doctoral candidate at Bocconi University. She leads public seminars and corporate training programs on Human-Sustainable Leadership, Workplace Wellbeing, and Resilient Teams at the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS). Her current research focuses on workplace wellbeing, exploring areas such as mindfulness, the experience of boredom at work, resilience and the prevalent issue of professional burnout.