Spiritual Wellness

December 2022

“Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.” — Buddha

Spiritual wellness is connecting to something larger than yourself or seeking and connecting to something transcendent or sacred. It provides a set of values, principles, morals, and beliefs. This developed system provides a sense of purpose and meaning to life while also guiding our actions and is likely the most personal and deeply rooted of all aspects of wellness (others aspects of wellness are physical, social, intellectual, emotional, mental, financial, and vocational). This is an evolutionary process based on individual experiences and global events that shape our own definition of spirituality, and it often fluctuates throughout life. “It is natural to experience a variety of emotions along the path to spiritual wellness – both positive (hope, forgiveness, acceptance, joy) and negative (doubt, fear, disappointment, conflict).” With the power and capability to make our decisions and choices easier and more consistent, it can also ground us during periods of change, create resiliency to survive with grace, and provide inner peace in the face of adversity (excerpts from Spiritual Wellness: What Is Your Meaning and Purpose?, E. Smith, 2016).

Spiritual wellness often serves to connect and restore a lost sense of purpose while finding meaning. Spirituality may even help us heal when suffering from a physical or mental condition. For example, Dr. Laura Dunn, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University, says talking with a chaplain can help people come to terms with fractured relationships and regrets. For those engaged in the clinical field we often encounter people that have disconnected from family or friends. Finding restoration can preserve long-term relationships while impacting lives in a positive manner. Dr. Dunn’s research suggests that just three 45-minute sessions with a chaplain were helpful for people with serious illness. But the benefits aren’t limited to those who are ill. “At a given time during a health crisis or time of acute stress, core spiritual needs will emerge. It may be the need for meaning and direction, renewed self-worth, or reconciliation.” So, while connecting or reconciliation is often challenging, it is also quite possible and positive to our spiritual well-being. Other benefits of spiritual wellness include:

Prevent isolation and risk for depression
Provide hope to relieve depression
Managing stress that comes from caregiving
Improving the function of your immune system
Enhancing your ability to think clearly and positively

Many define spirituality according to religious values while others find expression of spirituality through personal relationships or through nature (American Association of Equine Practitioners). We often equate it with religious faith, values, ethics, and morals. Regardless of whether you believe in a particular religious faith, we live in a world of faith diversity. What is meant by faith? It implies individuals have established their trust in something and firmly believes their faith to be true to them. It may be a strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, or it may be based on spiritual apprehension or a firm lack of belief; all are forms of spirituality. Your belief may lie in faith that differs from others in terms of doctrine and theology. This could potentially be uncomfortable for you, yet we must remember we all find strength and solace here. Being respectful does not imply compromising your own faith principles.

To determine your own spiritual well-being, ask yourself these questions, and make changes where needed:

Do I make time for relaxation in my day?
Do I make time for meditation and/or prayer?
Do my values guide my decisions and actions?
Do I have a well-defined sense of purpose and meaning?
Do I feel in harmony with the world around me?
Am I accepting of the views of others?

Be Well …

Arkansas Hospice Employee Wellness Council (EWC) Keeping you Well – Mind, Body, & Spirit

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