What is Spiritual Health and How to Improve It?
Spiritual health is the state of well-being that arises from a deep sense of connection to something greater than oneself.
This can take many different forms depending on your personal beliefs and values, but it often involves a sense of meaning and purpose in life, inner peace, and a sense of connection to a higher power, the natural world, or the universe as a whole.
Being spiritual can be a powerful tool for transformation. It is an inward journey that shifts your awareness about life, the universe, and everything.
This newfound awareness often translates into less stress, greater feelings of well-being, and ultimately even a decreased fear of death.
So spiritual health is an all-encompassing feeling of well-being, which stems from understanding larger truths about life, the universe, and the meaning of it all.
We will explore the topic of “what is spiritual health” more in this blog post.
What is spirituality?
First of all, if you are unfamiliar with the concept of spirituality, here’s a short summary:
Spirituality is about inner understanding, not worship.
Spirituality is all about a connection to the answers that are already inside you.
Spirituality is about finding and using your inner power to create a happy, meaningful, fulfilling life.
Spirituality is subjective and involves a journey of finding your deepest truths about life, the universe, and everything.
You can read more about spirituality and how it’s different from religion here
Spiritual health - what is it and why does it matter?
Spiritual health is an important aspect of overall health and well-being, as it can contribute to a greater sense of happiness, resilience, and fulfillment in life.
Spirituality (and connection to a “higher power”) has been linked to:
- Better Health
- Greater psychological well-being
- Less depression
- Less hypertension
- Less stress, even during difficult times
- More positive feelings
- Superior ability to handle stress
But there’s more to it than that.
Take a look at the picture below. It’s Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which you’ve probably seen at some point in your life.
Spiritual health & needs
The pyramid is of course a generalization of human needs, but it serves as a good guide to the inherent connection of physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Humans are three-part beings made up of body, mind, and spirit. They are connected and inseparable, so all well-being is in fact holistic well-being.
You cannot be healthy unless all parts of you are healthy, and imbalances on different levels can cause illnesses on other levels, such as stressing so much that you get physically sick.
The three parts that make up the body-mind-spirit complex that we call a human being are as follows:
- Body: The physical body is a person’s tangible, visible aspect. It is the vessel that carries the other two parts, and it is the part that is most easily observable and measurable.
- Mind: The mind encompasses a person’s thoughts, emotions, and intellect. It is the part of a person that is responsible for processing information, making decisions, and experiencing emotions.
- Spirit: The spirit is the intangible, invisible part of a person. It is often described as the part of a person that connects to something greater than oneself, whether that be a higher power, a divine force, or the universe as a whole. The spirit can also be identified as the part of your mind that works “behind the scenes” unconsciously. It is therefore your subconscious or unconscious mind.
Each part of a person is interconnected and interdependent, and optimal health and well-being require that each part is nourished and cared for.
Spiritual health as a part of holistic well-being
All clear so far? Good!
Back to the hierarchy of needs. The original pyramid (which was not a pyramid at all) contained only physical and emotional needs.
But during his studies, Maslow found out that when the need for self-transcendence is met, it produces feelings of integrity and raises things to a higher plane of existence. That’s why he added spiritual needs to his hierarchy later in his career.
Furthermore, spiritual needs can be met on multiple levels and often meeting one’s spiritual needs helps fulfill the needs on the other levels of the pyramid as well.
What’s even more astonishing is, that fulfilling one’s spiritual needs may result in releasing the thought of “needing” altogether.
So if you take good care of your spiritual health, you may find that your physical and emotional health will improve in the process as well.
At the least, cultivating spiritual health can help to promote overall well-being by providing a sense of meaning and purpose, promoting resilience, and enhancing social connections.
Some key components of spiritual health include:
- A sense of purpose and meaning in life
- A connection to a higher power or divine force
- A sense of inner peace and calmness
- Gratitude and appreciation for life
- Forgiveness and compassion towards oneself and others
- A willingness to seek out and experience new things
- A sense of connectedness to the natural world and other people
Why spiritual health is important
As mentioned, “the spirit” (subconscious, soul, or whatever spirit may mean to you) is a part of your being. It must be taken care of if you wish to live a happy, meaningful, fulfilling life.
Spiritual health encompasses different areas of your life, including:
- Improved overall well-being: A strong sense of spiritual health can contribute to a greater sense of happiness, peace, and contentment in life. People who feel connected to a greater sense of purpose and meaning often report feeling more fulfilled and satisfied with their lives.
- Enhanced resilience: People with strong spiritual health may be better equipped to cope with stress, adversity, and difficult life events. A sense of inner peace and calmness can help individuals navigate challenging situations with greater ease and grace.
- Better mental health: Research suggests that spirituality can be beneficial for mental health, and may help to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions (My experience with spiritual practices has helped my mental well-being substantially).
- Improved relationships: People who have a strong sense of spiritual health may be more compassionate, empathetic, and understanding toward others, which can improve their relationships and social connections.
- Greater sense of purpose: Spiritual health can provide a sense of purpose and direction in life, which can be motivating and energizing. It can also help individuals to clarify their values and priorities, and make decisions that are aligned with their beliefs and goals
But the most amazing benefits of spirituality come at the end of the inward journey.
At the end of the journey, so to speak, you will find your true self. The one who you are under all the layers of beliefs, habits, stress, fear, and anxiety. Understanding who you truly are will be a joyous experience.
You will come to realize that happiness is your natural state of being and that being happy requires nothing outside of you. You will come to know that there is nothing to do, lose, or fear, and that life is all about joy and love.
Read more: How to be happy spiritually
How to cultivate spiritual health?
Try meditation.
Meditation, at its core, is a spiritual practice that will help you cultivate spiritual health.
Meditation is a powerful tool for improving other areas of your life too:
- Do you want to be happy spiritually? Meditate.
- Do you wish to be physically and emotionally healthy? Meditate.
- Are you looking to uncover the deepest truths about life? Meditate.
You might think that meditation requires much practice, but the truth is that it can be learned and practiced with little to no effort. And despite there being dozens of different types of meditation practices out there, there is no best way to meditate.
The best way to meditate is the way that works for you. You can sit down on the floor or sit on a chair or couch. You can cross your legs or keep them relaxed the way you normally do. You can face your palms up or down, it doesn’t matter. You can even lie down if you want.
Meditation can be anything that connects you with your “true self”. This true self is your spirit, and your spirit already knows everything there is to know about being happy and healthy spiritually.
But what helps with meditation, is to stop and take a few deep breaths. Then, notice where you are. Look at your surroundings. Take another deep breath, hold it for a couple of seconds, and then exhale slowly. Turn your attention inwards. What are you thinking? How do you feel? Your feelings are truth-tellers and a “direct communication”, so to speak, from your spirit.
Concentrating on breathing deeply a couple of times is a good form of “instant meditation”. It brings your attention to the moment. The more you can be still, the more you will be aware of your thoughts and feelings.
If you are looking for a more detailed guide to meditation, you can find one by following the link. Just start with something, and you will learn as you go.
Additional methods for cultivating spiritual health
Other practices, such as gratitude, mindfulness, or just spending time in nature can be helpful in cultivating spiritual health.
Here are some additional ways to cultivate spiritual health:
- Reflect on your beliefs and values: Take some time to reflect on your beliefs and values, and think about what is most important to you in life. This can help you to clarify your sense of purpose and direction.
- Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness practices can help to promote inner peace, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.
- Spend time in nature: Spending time in nature can help to cultivate a sense of connectedness to the natural world, which can be beneficial for spiritual health.
- Engage in religious or spiritual practices: Participating in religious or spiritual practices such as prayer, attending religious services, or practicing yoga can help to cultivate a sense of connection to a higher power or divine force.
- Engage in acts of service: Engaging in acts of service or volunteer work can provide a sense of purpose and meaning, and can be a way to connect with others and contribute to something larger than oneself.
- Connect with others: Building strong social connections and a sense of community can benefit spiritual health and provide a sense of support and belonging.
- Practice gratitude: Practicing gratitude can help to cultivate a sense of appreciation for life, and can promote feelings of happiness and well-being.
Conclusion
Spiritual health is the state of well-being that arises from a deep sense of connection to something greater than oneself.
This can take many different forms depending on your personal beliefs and values, but it often involves a sense of meaning and purpose in life, inner peace, and a sense of connection to a higher power, the natural world, or the universe as a whole.
Some key components of spiritual health include:
- A sense of purpose and meaning in life
- A connection to a higher power or divine force
- A sense of inner peace and calmness
- Gratitude and appreciation for life
- Forgiveness and compassion towards oneself and others
- A willingness to seek out and experience new things
- A sense of connectedness to the natural world and other people
Spiritual health can be cultivated on multiple levels and often taking care of one’s spiritual health improves physical and emotional health as well.
At the least, cultivating spiritual health can help to promote overall well-being by providing a sense of meaning and purpose, promoting resilience, and enhancing social connections.
Disclaimer
The entire contents of this blog are based upon the opinions of the author. It is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The information in this blog is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care professional before trying any of the products or methods based on this content. I cannot guarantee that you will be free of stress, anxiety or depression, or that you will be happy. I simply want to share with you what I have discovered during my twenty years of seeking happiness and what has worked for me may not work for you.
