Wellness starts with you. If the body is not well, you won’t be able to take care of yourself and loved ones. Wellness is holistic. It deals with the body, mind (spiritual) and environment.
Spiritual wellness
Spiritual wellness provides us with systems of faith, beliefs, values, ethics, principles and morals. A healthy spiritual practice may include examples of volunteerism, social contributions, belonging to a group, fellowship, optimism, forgiveness and expressions of compassion (America Association of Equine Practitioner)
According to AAEP there are five habits for spiritual wellness
Meditation- whether or not you are spiritual mediation is the process of being fully here, with all concentration focused on the now. This is when you emotionally shut out everything around you and focus on the here and now. It is said through meditation one can reach for that inner peace, reducing worry, stress, finding forgiveness and achieving clarity in our purpose. The religious amongst us find this time through prayers and others through others form of medication such as repeating affirmation.
America talk show icon, Oprah Winfrey, has addressed her experience in practicing
Transcendental Meditation, what the journey has been like for her, and where she is presently. She said, “For me at this time in my life I recognise that everything is about moving closer to that which is God. And without a full, spiritual center—and I am not talking about religion, I am talking about without understanding the fullness from which you’ve come you can’t really fulfill your supreme moment of destiny….” Oprah further commented that she thinks “being connected to that which is greater than yourself, for me at this particular time in my life, is the most important thing and that’s what I am working on.”
For those who practice religious meditation, for example a Pentecostal Christian, this takes the form of reading the Bible, which is seen as quiet time. They feel that through reading the scriptures there is connection with God and understanding the Word better, one’s place in the universe, their relation to others, and their faith. It is felt more time spent in religious reflection there greater inner peace and distraction from lives’ trial and tribulations.
There seems to be common agreement that meditation grows one’s spiritual life and better equip them to cope with life’s challenges.
The other four habits are meditation yoga mentoring, travelling, and volunteering.
Yoga- is that physical technique that is said to be able to improve spiritual wellness. It has the impact of reducing emotional and physical strains on the body and mind. It has found to be good in lowering stress and blood pressure, boosting the immune system and reducing anxiety, depression, fatigue and insomnia.
Travel- a favourite for many, even if it means on work assignment, some can still find time to escape the stress of work and go for a walk after, enjoying the scenery, a night out on the town, theatre or some such pleasure that comes from planning a trip to somewhere else, including returning to a place previously enjoyed. A new environment helps in mental de-cluttering, rest and seeing new perspectives, which is needed spiritual exercise.
Mentoring- some derive spiritual joy from mentoring. It is nothing like taking someone under your wings, nurturing and providing needed support and watch the person succeed. People can take up different forms of mentoring such as a school age children, apprenticeship, cooking or whatever brings delight in moulding someone to success and this is not age specific, so do not be constrained.
Volunteering- this is another good activity for spiritual wellness. Some do this by assisting with cleaning the church, temple or mosque, volunteering at food bank, firefighting, etc. The thing about spiritual wellness is finding that space, that inner peace, through activities as stated above, to sustain one’s faith, beliefs, values, ethics, principles, and morals that are necessary to better understand self, the universe, and finding one’s purpose in life. Make it a habit to find time, even if it is 10 minutes a day, to attend to your spiritual wellness. (Source- some from internet (AAEP and aboutmeditation)
