83% of U.S. adults believe that humans have both a soul and a physical body. There is a common misconception that spirituality and religion are one and the same, but that's far from the truth. Your spiritual health is an essential part of your overall wellness and needs care and attention to flourish and grow.
Keep reading to learn more about the whats and whys of spiritual wellness.
Key Takeaways
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Spirituality and religion are not the same. Spirituality is anything that is beyond the mind and body and is usually about creating a meaningful connection with something bigger than oneself.
- Spiritual activities like meditation, yoga, and self-care can all help improve and nurture spiritual health.
- To improve your spiritual health, connect with a higher power, practice mindfulness, or try jamu wellness rituals.
See Related: 3 Wellness Rituals That Will Change Your Life
What Is Spirituality?
Surveys show that 70% of U.S. adults are spiritual in one way or another. Spiritual wellness is largely impacted by religion, a word that comes from the Latin root religio. Religion defines the bond between humanity and a higher power.
But what does spirituality mean? Is spirituality a religion?
Spirituality and religion are not one and the same. Spirit is anything that is not part of the mind or body. Spiritual health is achieved when you feel at peace and satisfied with your life. Even in the hardest times, you can still find happiness, compassion, and hope.
Spirituality comes from the Latin word spiritus, which means “breath” or “life.” Spirituality defines the process of relating to a higher power or divine energy. On the other hand, religion defines the content of a higher power or divine energy.
What Is Spiritual Health?
Your spiritual health encompasses the purpose, values, and beliefs that connect you to a broader purpose or higher power. You don't need to follow a specific religion or belief system to care for your spiritual health, as it is seen more as a journey of self-discovery and growth.
However, many religions have found ways to understand the soul and spirit over time. For example, Jewish and Christian traditions use words like Nephesh (Hebrew) and pneuma (Holy Spirit) to discuss the life and breath of one's soul and body.
What Are the Three Aspects of Spiritual Health?
Living a healthy spiritual life can help with improving self-awareness, managing stress, and remaining hopeful. Spiritual wellness can be broken down into three general concepts:
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Spiritual health acts as a unifying force. Spiritual wellness integrates all other dimensions of wellness, including physical, mental, and emotional wellness.
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Spiritual health brings meaning to life. Nurturing your spiritual wellness can help bring purpose and meaning to life.
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Spirituality creates a bond between the individual and a higher power. Spiritual beliefs create a bond between individuals and consciousness, their neighbor, nature, and God (similar to that of Tri Hita Karana).
Bonus: Your Wellness Lifestyle With Jamu: 7 Healthy Habits Towards Holistic Health
Four Ways to Improve Spiritual Health | How to Be More Spiritual
There's no one guaranteed way to achieve spiritual health. It's a long journey that is unique to each individual. Here are a few ways to kickstart your spiritual journey.
#1. Connect With Something Greater
Spiritual health often goes hand-in-hand with finding purpose in something bigger than yourself. Many people nurture their spiritual health by joining religious organizations or participating in volunteer work.
A stronger connection to a higher power, a grander sense of purpose, or an overall positive outlook in life can help you feel more spiritually secure and at peace.
#2. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness involves being present in the moment while paying attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgment. You can improve your spiritual health through daily spiritual practices like spiritual meditation, yoga, or reflection. Studies show that ten days of guided meditation can reduce stress by 14% and irritability by 27%.
Keep in mind that different people will need different approaches to spirituality to find the perfect path. For example, some people may find it hard to relax during meditation or yoga.
You can be mindful at any time. Take a moment during your day to notice things around you. Pay attention to the sounds around you, the air on your skin, or the taste of your food. Reflect on how these things make you feel and how you know them.
Bonus: Your Wellness Lifestyle With Jamu: 7 Healthy Habits Towards Holistic Health
#3. Jamu Wellness Rituals
The Indonesian wellness custom of jamu focuses on things like joy, self-love, and community engagement to provide health and happiness. This ancient tradition has been around for over 2,000 years and has transformed how people live worldwide.
The jamu lifestyle is a herbal medicinal tradition that focuses on more than just spiritual self-care. In fact, it's an entirely holistic approach to health that prioritizes well-being and wellness in all aspects of one's life.
With jamu, the mind, body, and soul are all connected. This lifestyle includes herbal remedies, regular exercise, self-care through daily rituals, and inner peace and joy.
#4. Focus On Gratitude
Gratitude is something that we can always practice more of. It's easy to overlook the fantastic parts of our lives and take many things for granted. This is how sour feelings are born, and it can be challenging for your spiritual wellness to thrive in such muddied waters.
Focusing on what you are grateful for can help you feel more positive and optimistic. These emotions are critical for spiritual health.
Through gratitude, your spiritual wellness can vastly improve. For example, it can help you cultivate positive emotions such as joy and love. Gratitude can help you develop a sense of resilience, which can be especially important during difficult times. Focusing on the things you are grateful for can help you maintain a sense of perspective and find hope and meaning even in challenging situations.
The Bottom Line
Spiritual health is critical for maintaining our overall wellness. There are countless benefits and ways to find your spirit and soul, and the journey never ends.
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