Improving the Spiritual Dimension of Wellness

​Improving the Spiritual Dimension of Wellness
 
Spirituality often is abstract and difficult for people to wrap their heads around. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. To get started, first let’s debunk a couple myths about spirituality.
 
Myth: Spirituality and religion are the same. 
 
Truth: spirituality and religion are not synonymous. Religion is based on an organized set of beliefs and values within a certain group, often based on a set of writings whereas spirituality is highly individualized and is about connecting with self, others and often times nature. You can have one without the other and while they may overlap, they do not have to. 
 
Myth: Spirituality is just for yogis and hippies. 
 
Truth: spirituality is not just for hippies and yogis. While spirituality is often associated with those two groups, spirituality if more than a ritualistic practice specific for certain groups. 
 
Myth: Spirituality looks the same for everyone. 
 
Truth: spirituality does not look the same for everyone. What works for your neighbor may not for you and that does not mean that one of you is more spiritual than the other. 
 
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk about what spirituality can look like. Remember, it is an individual practice and so what I share today you may resonate with or not, doesn’t mean one is right or wrong.
 
When I think of spirituality, I think of connection with myself, nature and God (yes, my religion and spirituality do overlap but yours doesn’t have to). I feel the most spiritual when I am in nature, in the pine trees, listening to the sounds around me with no technology and sipping a cup of tea. That is where I feel like I am most able to breathe, where I connect most to myself, am able to think about what I want and need and am able to slow down enough to thank God and hear what he has to say to me. 
 
Maybe your version of spirituality looks different. Maybe you find that in a yoga class, in a group of friends or when you are walking through the grass at the park. Somewhere where you feel seen, heard and at peace with yourself. 
 
I know people who find they are most spiritually connected when hosting a party with likeminded friends, others who feel most spiritual when alone. Either way is okay as long as it is a time when you are living out your value system and beliefs because a big part of spirituality is walking the talk and acting on what we say we believe and what is important to us. 
 
Whatever your spiritual practice looks like, I encourage you to be intentional about connecting to that part of yourself this week. If you don’t have a spiritual practice, now is a great time to start!