Spirituality

The definition of spirituality means having a sense of meaning and purpose in your life. This may involve a supreme being or a specified way of living prescribed by a particular religion. It could include the ability to understand and express one’s purpose: to feel a part of a greater spectrum of existence: to experience peace and contentment and wonder over life’s experience and to care about and respect all living things.

Being spiritual gives the ability to access higher meanings, values, abiding purposes and unconscious aspects of the self, a characteristic that helps us find a moral and ethical path to guide us through life.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine cites evidence of a positive influence spirituality can have on health and suggests the connection may be due to improved immune function, cardiovascular function and other physiological changes. Many studies have shown that certain spiritual practices can affect the mind, brain, body and behavior in ways that can treat many health problems and promote healthy behavior.

It’s believed that improved health and longer life in spiritually healthy people can be related to greater self-control and mindfulness training. The spiritual ones have better health habits and cope better with stress.

Spiritual health is related to psychological health. In studies, the benefit of such practices as yoga, deep meditation and prayer, can positively affect brain chemistry. This leads to reducing the likelihood of overeating, smoking, and abusing alcohol and other drugs.

Spirituality can increase feelings of hop0e and optimism, freedom from regret, satisfaction with life, and inner peace. Believing in something outside of yourself helps a person cope with serious illnesses like cancer and diabetes and other chronic diseases. If a person has a spiritual community they are also benefiting from increased social support.

Below are some ideas to nourish your spirituality:

• Attend a church regularly
• Practice yoga
• Pray or meditate
• Maintain healthy relationships
• Read about different philosophy’s and religions
• Go out in nature and be at one with it regularly