The answer to the question “What does it mean to be mentally well?” can be found in humanistic psychology literature, particularly developmental and health psychology (Ryff, 1989). Ryff developed a multidimensional construct of well-being based on Buhler's (1935) basic life tendencies, Erikson's (1959) psychosocial stages, Neugarten's (1973) personality changes, Jahoda's (1958) positive mental health criteria, Jung's (1933) account of individuation, Allport's (1961) formulation of maturity, Rogers' (1961) depiction of the fully-functioning person, and Maslow's (1961) (1968).
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Positive assessments of oneself and one's past life (Self-Acceptance), a sense of continued growth and development as a person (Personal Growth), the belief that one's life is purposeful and meaningful (Purpose in Life), the possession of quality relationships with others (Positive Relations With Others), the ability to manage one's life and the surrounding world effectively (Environmental Mastery), and a sense of senility (Psychological Well-Being) are (Autonomy; Ryff and Keyes, 1995, p. 720). Ryff and Singer (1998) created a scale to assess the six diverse aspects of positive psychological functioning mentioned above.
Spirituality
Transcendence is a common denominator for many spiritual notions, according to Heszen-Niejodek and Gruszyska (2004). The two-way notion of transcendence, stated above as self-improvement and a shift toward a higher-being, allows psychological scientists to investigate the phenomenon of spirituality without questioning theological or philosophical perspectives (Krok, 2009a).
Health-Related Behavior
The current study employs a framework that divides health-related behaviors into four categories: (a) proper nutrition habits (eating the right foods and maintaining a well-balanced diet); (b) prophylaxis (following health recommendations and learning about health and disease); (c) positive attitude (avoiding emotional overload, stress, or depressing situations); and (d) pro-health practices (good sleeping habits, relaxation, and physical activity; Juczyski, 2009).
How does spiritual wellness affect physical wellness?
How can you know if you've reached a state of spiritual wholeness – or if you're on your way there? Individuals that are spiritually healthy may:
Even if you don't think about spirituality much, it almost certainly has an impact on your life. Most people desire a feeling of purpose and a sense of meaning, and those who don't believe they have the answers often seek spiritual wellbeing, even if they aren't aware of it.
Many people neglect the value of spiritual nourishment when seeking wellbeing, sometimes because they don't know how. Just like the physical body needs movement to thrive, the soul wants exercise and activity to be fulfilled.
How Is Spirituality Good for You?
Spiritual wellbeing may benefit your physical health in addition to improving your general feeling of well-being and knowledge of your role in the world.
Contemplative activities, such as meditation, have been shown in studies to promote tranquility and concentration. Mindfulness practice has been shown to have a variety of effects on the physical body, including:
Pain sensitivity can be reduced by increasing gray matter density in the brain.
Meditation, prayer, yoga, and other contemplative practices can help you feel more compassionate and hopeful, as well as improve your relaxation response, which can improve your general well-being.
People who participate in spiritual traditions may also treat their bodies better and engage in healthier activities, according to research. Spiritual individuals are less likely to smoke or drink, and more inclined to take care of their health by wearing seat belts and taking vitamins, for example.
How Can You Practice Spiritual Wellness?
If you are religious, you can boost your spiritual life by following your particular religious rituals. There are, however, numerous other methods to engage in spiritual wellness activities.
Spending time in silent contemplation or writing in a notebook might help you develop your own spirituality. Participate in discussion groups, yoga courses, and group meditation sessions to practice with others. Furthermore, many people feel spiritual fulfillment in assisting others through volunteer work.
Regardless of how you choose to pursue spiritual wellbeing, your mind and body will undoubtedly benefit.
How can I be spiritually and physically healthy?
Spiritual wellbeing can be reached in a variety of ways, both physically and intellectually, because it involves one's values, beliefs, and purpose.
How does spiritual health affect emotional health?
- When you're sick, it can help you find inner strength and speed up your recovery.
Talking with a religious or spiritual leader might provide persons with mental illnesses a sense of hope. Some mental diseases might be viewed as moments when people doubt their own worth or purpose in a negative manner. Incorporating spirituality into the therapy of mental health issues can be incredibly beneficial.
How are mental spiritual and physical health related?
The link between mental and physical health is more clear in chronic diseases than anywhere else. The following are some of the links between mental and physical health:
- People who suffer from major mental illnesses are at a higher risk of developing persistent physical illnesses.
- People who suffer from persistent physical illnesses are more likely to suffer from mental illness.
Both chronic physical diseases and mental health are influenced by social determinants of health. Increased physical activity, availability to nutritional foods, appropriate money, and developing social inclusion and social support are all important parts of prevention. This opens up possibilities for improving protective factors and lowering risk factors associated to mental and physical health.
The first step in designing measures to prevent the prevalence of co-existing disorders and support people who already have mental illnesses and chronic physical conditions is to understand the links between mind and body.
Is spiritual health more important than physical health?
Wellness entails more than just physical fitness, exercise, and diet. It's the complete combination of one's bodily, mental, and spiritual health. Wellness has several components, and each one interacts with the others to contribute to our overall well-being.
What are the benefits of spiritual health?
Spirituality can help people cope with physical or mental pain as well as other life challenges by promoting tight family and friendship relationships. It can also provide people with a strong sense of belonging, especially if they are a part of a spiritual group or community. Gathering with like-minded people on a regular basis can help reduce feelings of isolation, which many older folks experience. Spiritual individuals, according to studies, have a more positive outlook and live happier, more productive lives.
How do we take care of spiritual health?
Religion brings spirituality to some people, but it does not bring spirituality to others. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to spiritual well-being. Here are a few ideas to get you started if you're not sure where to start.
According to a Gallup poll, 43% of Americans claim to be members of a church or other religious organization. These houses of worship provide a variety of opportunities for those living with mental illnesses to connect with others in their communities.
Reconnect with someone or an organization that shares your ideas and thoughts, whether online, over the phone, or in person. Find ways to connect with like-minded people in your religion community who can support and encourage you by reaching out to a pastor or spiritual leader.
“Many people's support mechanisms were taken away from them during the pandemicchurch, volunteering, support groups,” Wester added. “It was especially difficult for individuals who were already dealing with mental health concerns.” I advise people to reconnect with their religion group as soon as they are physically secure to do so.”
It's fine if you don't have a faith community. Finding a cause that resonates to you and giving back is another way to feel connected to your spirituality and faith. Working in a food pantry, becoming a mentor or tutor, or fostering an animal are all options. As a result, your community will develop and you will be able to meet individuals who share your interests. It will offer you a sense of purpose and thankfulness to serve others.
You don't have to be a yogi to benefit from the practice's spiritual benefits. Yoga is suitable for people of all ages and abilities. It can improve your mind and spirit, as well as strengthen and stretch your body, by lowering stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms.
You don't have to be an expert meditator like you don't have to be an experienced yoga practitioner. Because it takes so little time, meditation is one of the easiest disciplines to keep. “Some people believe you must sit and be silent, but this is not the case,” Wester explained. “You can walk while meditating, paying attention to the sensations of your feet on the ground and the intricacies of your surroundings. Simply slowing down your body can help you calm down your mind.”
Even five minutes of meditation can help you reduce stress, despair, and worry while also increasing your mindfulness. There are numerous fantastic guided meditation applications, such as Calm or Balance, if you need help.
Writing can help you process your emotions, raise your awareness, and provide a nonjudgmental space for you to express your feelings in the present. Start a daily thankfulness notebook with prompts or write down your anxieties and fears.
Spending time in nature, whether you live in the mountains, the desert, or near the ocean, can improve your spiritual health. You can't seem to get away from your phone, your day, and your problems. Even a few minutes spent watching the birds, trees swinging in the breeze, or crashing waves on the shoreline can be relaxing.
Find activities that you enjoy, such as knitting, coloring, cooking, sports, or working out. Focusing on things you enjoy might help you regain a feeling of purpose and stay present in the moment, even if only for a short time.
If you're having trouble connecting with your spiritual side or your mental health, get help from someone who is specially trained or someone you trust.
“Chaplains are specifically equipped to deal with religious issues in a clinical setting,” Wester added. They can assist validate your feelings without sweeping them under the rug. They can help you get back on track spiritually.”
What are examples of spiritual health?
Finding meaning and purpose in life may be a lifelong process that changes over time as a result of unique circumstances, personal experiences, and global events. A person's level of spiritual wellness, like the other dimensions of wellness, varies throughout their life. It's common to feel a range of emotions on the route to spiritual healing, both positive and negative (hope, forgiveness, acceptance, joy) (doubt, fear, disappointment, conflict).
Spiritual wellbeing has the power to make our decisions and choices easier, to center us during times of change, and to provide us with the resiliency to face hardship with grace and inner peace. Having a spiritual component in our lives may even assist us in healing whether we are afflicted with a physical or mental ailment.
Personal Reflection
Take a moment to measure your spiritual well-being by answering the following questions.
- Do I make an effort to broaden my understanding of various ethnic, racial, and religious groups?
Practice Spiritual Wellness
When it comes to spiritual wellness, it's vital to identify the strategy and approach that works best for you; unlike the other dimensions of wellness, there is no “one size fits all” solution.
- Volunteering in your community, spending time in nature, and appreciating music and the arts are all good things to do.
In future articles regarding spiritual wellness, we'll look at ways to figure out what your meaning or purpose is, as well as activities that can help you maintain or improve your spiritual wellness.
What is the physical health?
Physical health refers to the absence of illness or damage. It can include a variety of topics such as a balanced diet, weight management, dental health, personal hygiene, and sleep. Physical well-being is essential for overall happiness.
Does mental health affect physical health?
Your mental health has a significant impact on your overall well-being. Being mentally healthy might help you stay healthy and avoid significant health problems. Positive psychological well-being was found to lower the incidence of heart attacks and strokes in a study.
Poor mental health, on the other side, can lead to poor physical health or dangerous habits.
Chronic illnesses are those that last for a long time. Many chronic conditions have been linked to depression. Diabetes, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis are among these ailments.
Schizophrenia has also been related to an increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses.
Dealing with a chronic illness can be made more difficult by mental health issues. People with depression or other mental health issues have a greater mortality rate from cancer and heart disease.
Problems with sleeping. Sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea are more common in those with mental health issues. Insomnia makes it difficult to fall or remain asleep. Breathing issues caused by sleep apnea can cause you to wake up frequently.