The 5 Dimensions of Health: Spiritual Health
Spiritual health is perhaps the most important aspect of well-being, and yet it is often the most overlooked. But why is it so important, and what can be done to support spiritual well-being as one of the five dimensions of health?
I believe we are spiritual beings having a physical experience. When the physical body dies, the spirit is what remains. This is why true health and wholeness can never be achieved without addressing the spiritual dimension.
Without a strong spiritual connection, it is nearly impossible to find and experience the kind of safety and deep sense of peace that allows the nervous system to regulate so that the body’s healing pathways can function.
With all of the busyness, distractions, doing and going in most people’s lives, taking the time to cultivate spiritual health can be extremely challenging. Add to that the fact that most people are never taught how to cultivate any kind of spiritual connection, and it’s no wonder that spiritual health is neglected.
Practices for Awareness and Connection
The first step toward spiritual health is cultivating awareness and a sense of connection. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Some of my favorite ways to build spiritual awareness and connection are:
2 minutes of silence - Find a comfortable position where you can be still. Set a timer for 2 minutes and simply be silent. I usually use the first minute or so to notice any physical sensations, what state my nervous system is in, and any thoughts or emotions present in the moment. Then I will usually flow into this simple prayer: “Make me aware of, connect me to, fill me with, and surround me with Your Light, Life, and Love. Help me to be still and know Your presence. Help me to be fully present here in this moment, with You. Help me hear, see, perceive, and understand what You would reveal to me now and throughout my day. Help me to love You with ALL of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.”
Notice something good or beautiful - I believe that there is a Creator, and I believe that the Creator is the source of all that is good and true and beautiful. I try to intentionally look for and notice things that are good or beautiful because they remind me of the Creator’s presence, and remind me that all of this goodness and beauty is available to me and to every person on the planet all the time, if we are willing to notice and enjoy it.
Gratitude - I believe that gratitude is foundational to spiritual health. When we notice the good things, the beautiful things, and allow our hearts to receive that goodness, the natural response is gratitude. And almost always, that deep sense of gratitude turns into joy. Joy that we are seen and loved and deeply cared for, and THAT is why gratitude is so vital to spiritual health.
Spend time out in nature - I love spending time in nature because everything from the breathtaking beauty of a mountaintop vista all the way down to the intricate details of the tiniest creatures points to the presence of Someone greater than ourselves who is present, cares for, and sustains all things. Drinking in the wonder of it all, tangibly experiencing all of that beauty, can be one of the most profound ways to find a sense of connection on a spiritual level. It is beyond words, something we can’t fully express, and yet something that we can deeply know in our heart and soul.
Meditative breathwork - Guided meditative breathwork is a beautiful way to step out of life’s busyness and away from distractions, so you can be still, listen, and know. My first breathwork experience was hands down one of the most profound spiritual experiences of my life. It was the first time I experienced on a heart and soul level, deep in my body, what it means to be fully held, loved, and accepted.
If you are noticing or feeling that you are struggling with or lacking a strong spiritual connection, I encourage you to try one of the practices above consistently over time and notice if things begin to shift. Choose whatever jumps out at you, speaks to you, or intuitively makes the most sense to you. Developing a spiritual practice is a life-long journey of discovery that can support your physical, mental, and emotional health in meaningful ways.
Are you ready to address your health in a way that honors the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and energetic dimensions of well-being? Book an initial consultation or call Sage Wellness Center at 406-560-0662 today!