Our “Journey to a Healthier You” series kicked off this past January with a look at the differences between health and wellness.

Over the last several months, we’ve looked at seven of the eight dimensions of wellness, which are covered in more detail on our Journey to a Healthier You page. This month, we examine spiritual wellness – often seen as the most personal dimension. Consider all of the reflection you’ve done up to this point as building towards the deepest level of self-reflection: exploring and answering the question “what is your meaning and purpose?”

Spiritual wellness is being connected to something greater than yourself and having a set of values, principles, morals and beliefs that provide a sense of purpose and meaning to life, then using those principles to guide your actions.

Finding meaning and purpose may be a lifelong process that evolves based on unique circumstances, individual experiences and global events. Along with the other dimensions of wellness, a person’s level of spiritual wellness often fluctuates throughout their life. It is natural to experience a variety of emotions along the path to spiritual wellness – both positive (hope, forgiveness, acceptance, joy) and negative (doubt, fear, disappointment, conflict).

Spiritual wellness has the power and capability to make our decisions and choices easier, ground us during periods of change and give us the resiliency to survive with grace and inner peace in the face of adversity. Having a spiritual element in our lives may even help us heal when suffering from a physical or mental condition.

Personal Reflection

Take a moment to assess your own spiritual wellness by asking yourself the following questions.

1. What gives my life meaning and purpose?
2. What gives me hope?
3. How do I get through tough times? Where do I find comfort?
4. Am I tolerant of other people’s views about life issues?
5. Do I make attempts to expand my awareness of different ethnic, racial and religious groups?
6. Do I make time for relaxation in my day?
7. Do my values guide my decisions and actions?

Practice Spiritual Wellness

When striving to develop and practice your own spiritual wellness, it is best to find the technique and approach that works for you; similar to the other dimensions of wellness, there is no “one size fits all” approach.

Your journey to spiritual wellness may involve the following:

• Practicing meditation or yoga
• Praying or taking part in organized religion
• Spending quiet time alone pondering the meaning of life
• Building awareness through journaling
• Serving your community, spending time in nature, appreciating music and the arts

Source: lhsfna.org
“What Is Your Meaning and Purpose?”