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.
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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 some examples of spiritual wellness?
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 are ways to achieve spiritual and emotional wellness?
Spiritual wellbeing can be reached in a variety of ways, both physically and intellectually, because it involves one's values, beliefs, and purpose.
What does it mean to have spiritual wellness?
Expanding one's sense of purpose and meaning in life, as well as one's morals and ethics, is defined as spiritual wellbeing. It could include or exclude religious activity.
What are 3 examples of spiritual?
When looking for the meaning of life, spirituality is a personal experience that leads to a set of personal beliefs. It represents something bigger than the physical or material realm in life.
Spirituality is also a technique of dealing with day-to-day problems and connecting with something greater than yourself.
Spirituality can mean various things to different people. Spirituality, for some, is linked to religion and perhaps a higher force. Others may find it in non-religious activities such as connecting with nature, art, yoga, meditation, and so on.
What are the ways to grow spiritually?
5 Ways to Develop Your Spirituality
- Consistency is key. Maintain behaviors that will help you grow spiritually, such as praying, studying the Bible, and attending church services.
How do you become spiritually awakened?
Be aware of and deliberate about what you believe. Recognize the energy you're putting out into not simply your world, but the globe at large. Also, be truthful. Are your beliefs assisting you in your spiritual development? A spiritual awakening frequently necessitates the renunciation of long-held beliefs. But here's the thing about waking up: you have to realize you've been asleep first.
What are the five areas of spiritual well being?
The Latin words “spiritus” (meaning breath, courage, strength, or soul) and “spirare” (meaning to breathe) are combined to get the term “spirit” (1). Meaning, worth, transcendence, connecting (with oneself, others, God/supreme power, and the environment), and becoming (life's growth and progress) are five qualities of spirituality (2).
Since the inception of spiritual health and its different definitions, it has been five decades. Spiritual health is concerned with one's relationship with one's own self (personal dimension), people (social dimension), nature (environment), and God (transcendental dimension) (3). The following are the main qualities of spiritual health: a healthy lifestyle, social connections, inquiring about the meaning and purpose of life, and transcendence (4). For many academics, spiritual health is so crucial that it is considered one of the most significant components of health (5). Spiritual health leads to improved mental health (6) and is favorably associated to physical health, for example, it may assist patients experience less pain, according to multiple research conducted on diverse patients (7).
Scientists and academics have looked at spiritual health from numerous perspectives and presented several definitions, but they have yet to come up with a comprehensive description. Providing a complete definition for spiritual health, identifying the components and markers of spiritual health, and its impact on other areas of health are all major obstacles in treating spiritual health issues. Despite the fact that a number of studies have been undertaken in Iran on the subject of spiritual health (5, 7), experts believe there are not enough studies on the definition of the term. Because of the relevance of the topic, the paucity of literature, and the necessity to include multiple perspectives on spiritual health, this study was undertaken in Iran to investigate the definition, components, and indicators of spiritual health from the perspective of specialists.
How can I practice spiritual self care?
Another strategy to develop a spiritual self-care practice is to immerse yourself in a group that shares your values. You give yourself an opportunity to develop your connection to your truest self when you surround yourself with like-minded persons you respect and admire.
For me, the yoga community (particularly Kundalini) is a wonderful method to connect spiritually with myself in a safe environment. Churches, synagogues, drum circles, sound bowl gatherings, and healing circles are examples of spiritual groups.
Find a trusted mentor or advisor
Your spiritual self-care doesn't have to be a one-on-one experience. While much of the work is done on your own, it may be helpful to find a spiritual mentor or counselor to support you and answer any questions you may have.
If you're not sure where to look for a spiritual counselor, look around your neighborhood or talk to a life coach who can steer you in the proper place.
Experiment with crystals, tarot cards, and other spiritual tools
Crystals, sound bowls, gongs and bells, tarot cards, and essential oils are just a few of the spiritual instruments you can begin to incorporate into your life. These resources can assist you in developing a self-care ritual or practice, but they aren't required for spiritual self-care.
What are factors that support spiritual wellness?
Spiritual wellness may not be something you think about much, but it has an unavoidable impact on your life. Discovering a feeling of significance in your life and realizing that you have a purpose to fulfill is the foundation of spirituality.
Spirituality is defined by a number of aspects, including religious faith, beliefs, values, ethics, principles, and morals. Spirituality can be attained by improving one's personal relationships with people or by being at harmony with nature. No matter what one's beliefs are or where they are on their spiritual journey, spirituality allows us to find the inner serenity and tranquility we need to navigate through whatever life throws at us.
The human spirit is one of the most undervalued aspects of our personalities. A healthy soul is nurtured by deliberate practice, just as we exercise to condition our bodies. The spirit is the part of us that can get us through any situation. Even when life throws us a terrible blow, if we take care of our spirits, we will be able to feel a feeling of calm and purpose. Even in the face of adversity, a strong spirit allows us to survive and thrive with grace.
Labyrinths
The UNH Paul College courtyard has a labyrinth, which has long been used as a meditation and prayer tool. Labyrinths can be used for walking meditation to help you discover peace and clarity, manage stress, make better decisions, and reflect on yourself.
Mandalas
In Sanskrit, the word “mandala” signifies “holy circle.” Mandalas are utilized in sacred rites as a transformational tool to assist with healing and are used to facilitate meditation in various spiritual traditions.
Mandala coloring and wellness education/counseling workshops for individuals
Meditation
Meditation is a practice that involves unwinding the body, quieting the mind, and reawakening the spirit. Meditation promotes a higher level of consciousness or awareness, as well as a greater understanding of oneself and others.
Yoga
The word “yoga” literally means “union,” and the practice unites the mind, body, and soul. It's used to treat the complete body and is good for overall health as well as a variety of ailments and conditions.
Talk to Someone About Spiritual Wellness
Individual meetings with a wellness educator/counselor are available for UNH students to discuss wellness. Make an appointment by calling (603) 862-3823 or going online.