What is Spiritual Health: Understanding Spiritual Wellness [Video]

What is Spiritual Health: Understanding Spiritual Wellness [Transcript]

Spiritual wellness involves having a higher sense of purpose, meaning, and value in your life. It can look like meeting your own needs and feeling connected to your authentic self and the world around you. It can also entail participating in activities that are consistent with your beliefs and values. Let’s dive deeper into spiritual health and wellness.

A myth about spiritual wellness 

A common myth about spiritual wellness is that we need religion in order to be spiritual. We can think of religion as a support to our spiritual wellness. When we take the time to look inward and explore our sense our needs, values, beliefs and sense of meaning, we can begin to see where we align. A religion can be a way to express these values and beliefs in a way that feels true to you. Therefore, joining a religion can help you feel more support in the community, but you certainly don’t have to be religious to be spiritual. 

Spirituality is about feeling connected to yourself, to people around you who align with your values and beliefs, and to the outside world. It is about living in a way that feels authentic to you.

How does spiritual wellness relate to mental health? 

Spiritual wellness and mental health are connected by the word “authenticity.” Both are about feeling and noticing what your needs are, meeting your own needs, and being able to express your authentic self in an honest way. 

Spiritual activities 

Spiritual activities like meditation, quiet time, and embracing silence and solitude can decrease stress and anxiety. In turn, this can lead to increased self-esteem and confidence due to your ability to embrace authenticity. When you live in a way that is true to you, you can feel capable, confident, and less likely to rely on anyone else or compare yourself to others. 

Read more about mind, body and wellness 

Feeling connected in relationships 

Spiritual wellness is about feeling connected with yourself. When you practice spiritual wellness,  you develop positive and healthy relationships with other people and the world around you. Often when we are living in an authentic way, we probably aren’t engaging in relationships that feel toxic or hurtful to us. We tend to engage in relationships that feel good and healthy, and ensure that we live in a space that feels calm.

A greater sense of acceptance 

When you practice spiritual wellness, you are able to accept yourself and those around you, rather than comparing or living by societal norms. You feel connected to yourself and live in a way that feels true to you. 

How do we improve spiritual wellness? 

When I feel the most connected to myself and I embrace spiritual wellness, I normally feel a sense of grounded connection and feel like the fullest version of myself. Ask yourself the same question: when do you feel that sense of connection and fullness? Notice your emotions and allow yourself to explore what your authentic self is saying. What do you need? Are you aligned with your beliefs and values? What does it feel like to be in this authentic space? 

Then begin to notice other times you feel like that, like when you’re with a friend, or meditating, or in the therapy room. This is a great way to begin to explore when you feel your most authentic. It also gives you permission to explore your personal values and higher sense of purpose in life.  This quiz on the 8 dimensions of wellness is really insightful!

Spiritual wellness exercise 

Find a quiet time when you feel you can be the most grounded, fullest, version of yourself so you can begin to explore these questions. Although it may feel a bit daunting, the times when we can just be with ourselves are when we find the most answers.

You can begin to make a routine out of this. You can spend a minute, ten minutes, or an hour each day checking in with yourself. It doesn’t have to look a particular way, as long as it feels right and true to you. Embrace the solitude. Just because you’re alone, does not mean that you’re lonely. It means that you’re allowing yourself to just be, by yourself, so you can begin to answer these questions. 

Let’s take a moment to embrace that silence and solitude. When I practice this in my daily routine, even if just for a minute between therapy sessions, I take a moment to close my eyes. I put one hand on my heart and one on my belly, and take a breath. I invite you to do this with me now. Let’s breathe in through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Repeat that a few times, and check in with your body. Reconnect with your authentic self and ask yourself important questions about your spiritual health. 

Watch our recent webinar on the dimensions of wellness