Wellness incorporates so many different aspects of our daily life that we often feel so rushed to accomplish all of the things that make our lives healthier. Spiritual Health is one of those aspects that I feel is just as vital as eating well and exercising. Here is why; spirituality connects us with what is meaningful to ourselves and it enriches our lives and spirit.
Spiritual Wellness brings comfort to us when we are facing hard challenges in our lives. It allows us to achieve our goals, allows us to grieve and express our emotions with strength and healing instead of hanging on to it. Spiritual health (wellness) is about connecting our mind, body, and soul so that we are whole and not fragmented. Praying and meditating contribute to our healing along with exercise and eating well. They are all connected. We cannot accomplish one without the others.
Here is Why Spiritual Health is Vital to our Wellness Plans:
- With good spiritual health there is less suicide
- Less drug and alcohol abuse
- Less eating disorders
- Lowers blood pressure
- Less physical disability
- Less depression
- In some cases it postpones death
- You have a healthier immune system
- You are 3 times likely to survive surgery
- You have more resilience when challenges come along
- You are happier
- You live a longer life
- You are more faithful in your relationships
- You are satisfied
- Reduction in stress
- Slows down aging
- Reduces blood sugar
- Improves memory and cognition
These are wonderful benefits to our overall health. For me, my spiritual health leans towards Christian beliefs. I have found great power in my faith. I have endured through 146 tracheal surgeries in the last ten years. I have built loving and healthy relationships with my family and friends and most importantly with myself. Even now, as I am peeling off another layer of trauma in my past life, my faith is holding me together as I cry and face the monsters and move forward. I have felt and seen the benefits. I know this is helping me with my positive eating habits and is a big factor in the 56 pounds that I have lost, so far. I have much more to lose and I will do it. There are a lot of spiritual practices and we all have our own beliefs and faiths so we must find what works for us. For me, this works for me.
As always, Karen Clemenson is available anytime to listen and walk beside you as you meander through your challenges and maybe come up with ideas to help you discover your own spiritual wellness. She is awesome like that.
Call or text 360-447-8061 for an online consultation (at least until we can stop social distancing) or send us an email on our Contact page.
Make sure to Subscribe to Wellness Works NW’s YouTube Channel!
Here are some links I would like to share with you:
- Addressing Spirituality in Healthcare by Rev. Dr. Stephen P Kliewer, LPC for SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions
- Definition of Spiritual Wellness by International Institute for Lifestyle Medicine and Wellness Center Staff
- How Can Spirituality Affect Your Family’s Health? by Brenner Children’s Wake Forest Baptist Health Staff
- The impact of spirituality on mental health by Dr. Deborah Cornah for Mental Health Foundation
- Information from Your Family Doctor: Spirituality and Health by American Family Physician Staff
- The Mental Health Benefits of Religion and Spirituality by Luna Greenstein for National Alliance on Mental Health
- Religion and Spirituality in Health Care Practice by American Medical Association Staff for AMA Journal of Ethics
- Spirituality and Your Health by Associates for Women’s Medicine Staff
- Spirituality May Help People Live Longer by WebMD Staff
- The Surprising Health Benefits of Spirituality by Emma Seppälä Ph.D. for Psychology Today
Related Articles
Jamie Holloway is co-owner of Wellness Works NW and she is also our Research Manager and writes our Chasing Wellness with Jamie Holloway and Dear Jamie columns. Jamie is also an Independent Wellness Advocate at dōTERRA. She lives in the Portland, Oregon area. Since October 2011 she has been sharing her Journey Toward Health and Wellness with Vasculitis through her blog at JamieChasesButterflies.com. We hope you are as inspired as we are with the raw candor Jamie uses in her writing. If you would like to help support Jamie’s writing efforts please Donate now.
