A comprehensive review of literature on the relationship between spirituality and working women's physical health and performance.
Arnab Basu, Nadindla Srividya
Journal of Health Psychology May 2, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/13591053261442609 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 64 |
| Population | Working women |
| Interventions | meditation mindfulness workplace yoga |
| Keywords | Health Performance Spirituality Women Workplace |
| Key findings | Spiritual practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and workplace yoga are associated with lower cortisol levels, improved autonomic balance, reduced anxiety, fatigue, and depression, and higher job satisfaction and energy in working women, though the evidence remains primarily associative. |
Abstract
This systematic literature review (2020-2025) of 64 studies examines the associations between spiritual practices and the holistic well-being of working women. Interventions such as meditation, mindfulness, and workplace yoga are consistently linked to favorable shifts in the Mind-Body axis, characterized by lower cortisol levels and improved autonomic balance. These physiological changes track with significant self-reported improvements in emotional regulation, including reduced perceived anxiety, fatigue, and depression. In the professional domain, spiritual engagement is associated with improved workplace functioning, notably through higher job satisfaction and increased energy. While these trends suggest a positive relationship, the evidence remains primarily associative. The reliance on self-reported measures and heterogeneous samples highlights a need for longitudinal, gender-specific research to clarify how spiritual engagement supports women's professional fulfillment.
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- Efficacy of mHealth aided 12-week meditation and breath intervention on change in burnout and professional quality of life among health care providers of a tertiary care hospital in north India: a randomized waitlist-controlled trial. Frontiers in Public Health 2023
- Effectiveness of meditation on wellness management among corporate employees in India: An interventional study. Health science reports July 1, 2024
- Prana Vidya in Integrative Health: Revitalizing Ancient Healing Practices with Modern Scientific Perspectives - A Scoping Review International Journal of Health Sciences and Research September 10, 2025
- The Effect of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Premenstrual Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health 2023