How To Promote Spiritual Wellness

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 pandemic—church, 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.

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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).

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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.

How do you increase moral spiritual 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 4 examples of spiritual health?

The qualities that are most important to you are your own values. Consider what you admire about yourself and the individuals you admire.

List your top five values, along with why they are important to you and how you implement them into your life. Kindness, honesty, security, ambition, and community may be important to one person. It might be cheerfulness, empathy, loyalty, adventure, and learning for another.

Start a Yoga Practice

You can attempt a variety of yoga activities, but the majority of them incorporate breathing exercises, meditation, and physical activity.

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Yoga is a tried-and-true method of improving your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Yoga can improve your strength and flexibility while also reducing tension, despair, and anxiety symptoms.

Meditate

Meditating, like yoga, has physical, emotional, and spiritual health benefits. Meditating for as little as five minutes a day can help with stress, sadness, and anxiety symptoms, as well as promote mindfulness and possibly alleviate physical ailments such as headaches, high blood pressure, and sleeplessness.

A guided meditation software like Calm or Headspace, both of which have free trials, can be beneficial.

Keep a Journal

Create a specific type of notebook, such as a thankfulness journal, or write whatever you're feeling at the time.

Journaling can aid in the processing of emotions, increasing self-awareness, achieving goals, and reducing anxiety and depression symptoms. Journaling is cathartic and allows you to reflect on your life events and feelings in a private, nonjudgmental environment.

Try Googling “journaling prompts for spiritual growth” to get started. Journaling prompts are questions or activities that you can use as thought openers to help you become more self-aware. According to research, concentrating on appreciation can help you:

Practice Mindfulness

When you're attentive, you concentrate on the current moment rather than the past or future. Breathing exercises, praying, or repeating a mantra are all options. Mindfulness has physical, mental, and spiritual advantages that are similar to yoga, meditation, and journaling.

Spend Time in Nature

Spending time in nature, whether hiking, walking, kayaking, or biking, can improve your spiritual health. Nature can help you relax, be happier, improve your attention, strengthen your immune system, and even boost your creativity.

Digital Detox

How much time do you spend on your phone, at your computer, or watching TV? There are a slew of mental health benefits to going on a digital detox, like being able to focus on the present without being distracted and falling asleep more easily at night if you don't use technology immediately before bed.

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Try disconnecting from electronics for a day or simply a few hours to focus on yourself and interact with friends, family, and your partner.

Step Away From Social Media

It may be beneficial to take a vacation from social media if you find yourself feeling sad, angry, resentful, jealous, or any other negative emotions after browsing through your Instagram account.

While social media can be a useful tool for keeping in touch with friends and family and for making new connections, it can also be a source of social comparison for many people. Keep in mind that social media is nothing more than a highlight reel of other people's life.

Volunteer in Your Community

Find a cause that you care about and ways to contribute. For example, you could foster a puppy or cat, volunteer at a food bank, or mentor or tutor a kid.

Joining a volunteer organization can help you grow your community and meet people who share your interests. Volunteering benefits others and gives you a sense of accomplishment.

Do a Good Deed

Even modest gestures, such as paying for the person in line behind you's coffee, can raise your mood.

Consider how you may support a friend, family member, coworker, or someone else in your life with tiny deeds. You may volunteer at a local retirement home, clean up a park, write a letter of gratitude to a loved one, or donate to a non-profit that shares your interests and values.

Develop Hobbies

Discover activities that you enjoy, such as painting, athletics, cooking, gardening, photography, or working out.

Hobbies provide you with delight as well as a sense of purpose. Here are some things to think about if you're not sure what you want to do for a hobby:

Some hobbies can be done alone, while others can be done with friends and family or to meet new people.

After you've tried a few of these 12 activities, figure out which ones work best for you and include them into your daily, weekly, or monthly routine. The more constant you are with your spiritual endeavors, just like with exercising or eating a nutritious diet as part of preventive care, the more positive outcomes you'll see.

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 grow spiritually?

1. Begin by humbling yourself and praying.

It's all too easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget how fortunate we are. You may maintain these positives in your mind by taking time in the morning (and again before you go to sleep at night).

Request that God continue to bless and protect you and your loved ones. This is also a good moment to ask Him for assistance in keeping your mind on His plan for your life. When we ask Him a question, we may find that we immediately see opportunities in front of us.

2. Study and Read the Bible

Consider your Bible to be a manual. The pages contain more information about how to live your life than you may realize. Proverbs and the letters to the churches (such as Ephesians and Philippians) instruct you on how to live a Christian life. Life lessons abound in the Bible.

The teachings of Jesus can be found throughout Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and then the teachings of the disciples may be found throughout the rest of the New Testament. The Old Testament tells you about Jesus' ancestors as well as stories of people who had strong faith. The more you grow in God's Word, the less external influences will cause you to stumble.

If you have the opportunity, try to delve thoroughly into a particular book, either in a group Bible study session or online, in order to gather some truth nuggets. This will also help you understand how this fact affects your life.

3. Find a group of believers who share your beliefs.

Depending on where you live, you might be able to find Christian groups that meet for a variety of reasons. Christian book clubs, Christian counseling groups, and faith-based exercise courses are examples of this.

There's a cliché that says you become like the five people you spend the most time with. Choose persons who have a deep relationship with God and can assist you in your spiritual development as a Christian.

4. Help Others

“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them,” Jesus stated in Matthew 7:12, “because this is the Law and the Prophets” (New King James Version).

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We've all heard the command, but how many of us actually do it? And what does it mean to serve others in order to get closer to God?

While on Earth, Jesus demonstrated how God wants us to live by caring for and serving others. Will people betray and injure us? Yes. They also harmed and betrayed Jesus. He continued to reach out to people and point them to God. We are feeding Jesus' chosen by feeding and clothing the destitute. “Feed my sheep,” Jesus stated to Peter after three times asking if he loved Him.

Please feed my sheep. It is our duty to look after others and to serve as the Lord's hands and feet. The key to a closer connection with God is obedience. “If you love me, observe my commands,” Jesus stated. (New International Version, John 14:15).

This does not, however, imply that if you are a victim of abuse, you must keep your arms in the fire. You can forgive others while maintaining a healthy distance from harmful connections. If you need assistance, talk to a Christian Counselor who can guide you toward a Christian lifestyle with healthy relationships.

5. Find out what spiritual gifts you have.

Each Christian has been given spiritual gifts, according to the Bible. Did you know that this can imply more than bodily healing and the ability to speak in tongues? Those are two of the most important biblical gifts.

You've also been given discernment, wisdom, faith, knowledge, and the fruits of the Spirit, which include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. Some of the gifts are related to your mission. You can improve these abilities by engaging in particular activities. You can focus on aligning your spiritual gifts with your purpose and serving others as a means of deepening your relationship with God if you are aware of the spiritual gifts that God has given you.

These are your innate abilities and characteristics. Do you enjoy assisting others, whether it's through home visits or meal preparation? Do you have a natural aptitude for teaching? Do you regularly share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others?

Other spiritual gifts that you may discover in yourself or others include:

  • Are you the person that everyone looks to in a crisis? Are you more of a take-charge leader than a follower?
  • Administration – Do you enjoy leading a church function when no one else is available? Are you prone to delegating duties and organizing groups and events?
  • Does it concern you when someone reads Scripture out of context when you're teaching? Do you ever have the feeling that you could teach others about a particular subject?
  • Evangelism – Do you often share the good news of Jesus Christ with others? Do you coach others on how to do the same?
  • Shepherding – Can you educate or lead while caring for and serving others? Do you feel a sense of responsibility for the persons God has entrusted to your care?
  • Prophecy – Do you believe the Holy Spirit gives you special insight into a person or a group of people? Are you confident in your ability to express Biblical truths?
  • Do you prioritize serving the needs of others in your church and community when you serve? Do you enjoy working on projects that require you to be hands-on?
  • Mercy– Do you sympathize with those who are in pain and looking for solace? Is it possible for you to provide a safe haven for a friend who is grieving or in pain?
  • Exhortation — Do you offer practical, Bible-based advice to people? Can you see the bigger picture and propose answers to a problem?
  • Giving – Do you go beyond tithes and offerings to find methods to financially help ministries? Do you spend your time and money anonymously in order to build God's kingdom rather than to “show off”?

Consider visiting with a Spiritual Development Counselor who can assist you in developing a strategy to further each of your gifts. You may focus on serving others while also achieving your purpose if you discover the top three gifts God has given you for ministry.

Everything will begin to seem aligned when you are experiencing a spiritual awakening of these gifts. Your relationship with God will improve as you continue to work on these. Find folks who share your passions and can serve as mentors. A person with the spiritual gift of teaching who also enjoys writing, for example, could collaborate with a Bible study author to create content for their church ministry.

Make a daily commitment to incorporate each of these into your spiritual development plan. Nothing matters more than your spiritual awakening and your relationship with God. We hope that as you grow in your spiritual life, you will be able to carry that confidence out into the world.

How do I become more spiritually aware?

There may come a time in your life when you've achieved enough commercial success and mastered the art of relationships and making healthy living choices that you feel compelled to explore deeper into what's actually going on beneath all the layers of your societal indoctrination. You begin to realize that there is something bigger calling to you from somewhere other than your daily routine. You may hear an internal voice, see indications all around you, or meet new people who are on their spiritual path, and you get interested by the notion that you're intended for more than the 9-to-5 grind and monotonous, day-in, day-out existence you've become accustomed to. You may feel compelled to pursue something more meaningful, but it isn't money or fame—it isn't material possessions or accolades. Your soul is beckoning you to “return home” and reconnect with who you truly are, your soul's mission in this lifetime, and your relationship with God, your Higher Self, and the Universe (or whatever best supports your belief system). You desire to improve your spiritual awareness.

There are numerous advantages to going on a spiritual path, as well as varying degrees of value that your journey will offer to your personal growth and entire life experience. You could be interested in spirituality for a variety of reasons. It's a good idea to think about why you want to become more spiritually aware.

  • Is there something missing in your life that you're not sure what it is?
  • Are you looking for a deeper connection with your Self—that part of you that exists outside of your name, your job, your home, and the car you drive?
  • Do you yearn for a group of people that share your values and are on the same spiritual road as you?
  • Do you have the feeling that your life is part of something bigger?

Let's look at how you might build and cultivate spiritual awareness inside yourself now that you've pondered what spiritual awareness means to you and why it's vital for you to explore. Here are five ways to improve your spiritual awareness.

1. Begin meditating on a daily basis.

A daily meditation practice is one of the most effective strategies to become more spiritually aware. Meditation is about taking time to slow down, go within, and be silent and peaceful. It takes you out of the mess in your life and puts you in the present moment—now now, right here.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is a skill that may be developed.

3. Commit to Self-Love

You've probably heard that you need to know and love yourself, but what exactly does that imply? Being yourself and finding methods to appreciate the unique abilities, special gifts, and qualities in yourself that you (or others) value is an important aspect of self-love. This is an opportunity to shift your focus to the positive if you prefer to focus on the negative elements of yourself (you're always your own harshest critic). You've been trained to put everyone else's happiness first, even if it means sacrificing your own self-care and survival. Practice being truthful and willing to speak your truth to start overcoming the impulse to put others first so you may honor your own needs. It's completely acceptable to gently decline an offer, to stand out from the crowd, and to stand up for what you believe in, even if it differs from what others believe. You'll notice a good shift if you honor and love yourself as you do others.

4. Develop a stronger bond with others

It's now time to strengthen your bonds with others. Humans are herd creatures, which means they prefer being in the company of others who are like-minded and on the same road as them.

It's crucial to note that as you develop on your spiritual path and begin to awaken, the types of individuals you previously surrounded yourself with may no longer resonate with you (or vice versa). This is normal, yet it might be unsettling at times. As difficult and perplexing as it may seem at first, it is one of the clearest methods to assess your level of transformation. Because you're no longer vibrating on the same frequency, certain friendships may fall apart totally. You may feel lonely at times, but if you stick with it, you'll soon attract new people who are supposed to walk beside you in some way. Keep your eyes peeled for fresh opportunities and partnerships.

5. Develop a Gratitude Habit

Taking the time to be grateful for the people in your life, the chances you've been given, the past lessons you've learned, and the beauty that surrounds you each day will anchor you to the present moment, where you'll become more aware of just how full your life is—right now, today.

Keeping a thankfulness notebook is a popular habit among many people. Every day, write down something you're grateful for and why you're grateful for it. Some people enjoy making a daily list of people, places, objects, or events that provided them joy during the day. You can go back on those days when things aren't going so well and re-read past articles to remind yourself that there is still beauty in your life and in the world, in addition to focusing your attention to the good each day.

There are many opportunities for spiritual exploration everywhere you look, from lavish yoga and meditation retreats in exotic settings to group-led vision quests in distant locations and religious meetings all over the world. Regardless of your culture, theology, beliefs, or interests, there is something for everyone who wishes to pursue a more spiritually focused lifestyle. These five suggestions are a fantastic place to start on your path to becoming more spiritually conscious.

What are three characteristics of spiritual wellness?

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.

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.