We’re all affected by the stresses of daily life. And while they can surely take a toll on our physical, mental and spiritual health, we’ve learned ways (sometimes healthy, sometimes not) to cope. So it’s easy to think we’ve arrived at spiritual wellness. After all, we’ve made it this far, right?
But what is true spiritual wellness? Surely it’s more than just coping — more than just getting by.
Whatever your faith, the idea of spiritual wholeness or enlightenment, and the path for reaching it, has been debated for centuries. Yet at the heart of every argument, ideal and suggestion there’s one common thread: The ability to be content with our lives, where they are, however they are.
When we are spiritually whole, it doesn’t mean our problems vanish. But it does mean we can manage life’s challenges from a much different — and deeper — perspective.
Achieve It by Practicing Acceptance
Practicing spiritual acceptance means saying yes to your reality, even when that reality is difficult. It means accepting a serious medical condition, the loss of a loved one, guilt over an action we can’t take back — the really hard stuff — and cultivating inner peace and contentment.
Paths to Spiritual Wellness
Although there are many paths to achieving spiritual wellness, they all lead to the ability to transcend yourself to find meaning and purpose in your life and the lives of others.
Use the Silence
Silence is the goal of many spiritual retreats and practices, and silence usually exists in abundance during illness. Look for the sacred in silence and learn what it has to offer. Use the cleansing silence to reflect, relax, pray and heal.
Think Like a Beginner
Use experiences to learn, let go of attachments and expectations, and feel joy in what you love for its own sake. Take time to appreciate the simplest things around you. Notice the inhale and exhale of your breath. Find gratitude in simply being who you are and where you are.
Use the Negative Space
In art, what’s left out — the negative space — is as important as what’s included. Your life is also a work of art. Instead of thinking about downtime as something to fill up, use the negative space of this period of reflection and inactivity to find deeper meaning in your life.
Maintain Your Focus
While managing your time and daily tasks can be hard, always make time to connect with yourself. Whether in the morning, during your lunch break or before you go to sleep, take five to 10 minutes to visualize your affirmations each day. Using this time to slow down and focus will help you achieve spiritual wellness.
Know that when you need us, we’re here for your whole health and wellness: body, mind and spirit. Learn more about the AdventHealth mission and promise here.
