What is it and why is it important to our wellness?
Spiritual wellness is one of the eight common aspects of wellness of a human’s well-being. It is about seeking a meaningful connection with something bigger than yourself, which can result in positive emotions, such as peace, awe, contentment, gratitude, and acceptance. [1]
Spiritual health or well-being can be viewed as the strength of one’s connection in four domains: to oneself, to others, to nature and to the transcendent (Faith). [2] It not only allows you to seek meaning and purpose in human existence, but it also allows you to appreciate your life experiences for what they are.
When you find meaning in your life experiences, you will be able to develop harmony with your inner self and the outside world. In simpler terms, spiritual wellness grants you balance. [3]
Spiritual wellness interacts with the seven other Dimensions of Wellness. Feeling stress within one dimension of wellness can easily disrupt our wellness in other areas of life if not managed. [4] Spiritual health unites the physical, mental and social dimensions of wellness. [5]
The word “spirit” is derived from the Latin words “spiritus” (meaning breath, courage, vigor, or soul) and the word “spirare” (meaning to breathe). Five characteristics of spirituality include: meaning, value, transcendence, connecting (with oneself, others, God/supreme power and the environment), and becoming (the growth and progress in life)
The Four Dimensions of Spiritual Wellness
1.Connecting to Faith
Faith concerning the religious components may be the result of human connection with God, including a sense of connection with God, love of God and prayer. “The most important and essential component of spiritual health is communication with God”. [5]
Prayer, a request to a higher power for help, or an expression of gratitude for blessings, can be practiced either in private or within a group setting. It can bring comfort in times of stress, providing the sense of a loving spiritual presence. Studies show that prayer can calm the nervous system, shutting down the fight or flight response. [4]
2.Connecting to Nature
Human connection with nature develops responsibility, love, knowledge, attitude and behavior toward nature.
Connecting to nature can be through:
- Watching and respecting nature at work all around us.
- Consciously using our senses to experience all facets of the material world — sight, sound, touch, taste, smell.
- Understanding that humankind is not separate from nature, but rather an intrinsic part of it.
- And much more. [6]
3.Connecting to Oneself
It’s the individualistic component that comes from human connection with themselves. Instances include: examining the meaning of life, hope, self-actualization, moral virtues, peace, responsibility for oneself, balance, transcendence, values, mysticism, culture, knowledge, attitude, and behavior about oneself. [5]
Approaches might be through practicing activities that nudge self-reflection and contemplation such as journaling, doing yoga, practicing mindfulness and meditation. [4]
4.Connecting to Others
The social dimension of social wellness guides your wellness toward creating a sense of responsibility toward others, unconditional love, forgiveness, pacifism, harmony, knowledge, attitude, and moral behavior.
It positively affects an individual’s behavior and results in acceptance of social responsibility, respect for the rights of others, honesty, compassion, altruism, generosity, optimism, empathy, benevolence, helping others unconditionally, humility, and lack of jealousy and grudge. It creates a healthy community. [5]
Sources:
[1] https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUz6UMDBuBE
[4] https://stride.com.au/dimensions-of-wellness/spiritual-wellness/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6150917/
[6] https://onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/nature-spirituality/
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