Recent studies have suggested that keeping in touch with your spiritual side promotes a healthier life. Many mature adults have wondered about how spirituality will enhance their health, and those with a stronger spirituality tend to be healthier. On that note, spirituality is not the same as religion. Some people who are more in touch with their spirituality are not connected with a certain religion, while others find spirituality within their religion’s core beliefs. Here is the correlation between spirituality and health, and how you can work on them.
Spirituality vs Religion
Before moving on to the health benefits of a spiritual connection, let us delve deeper into the differences between spirituality and religion. Both spirituality and religion do share a strong belief that there is more about the universe than what we know. They both also appreciate meaning and connections. However, the approach to this journey differs for these two aspects. Spiritual people believe in making their own paths and discovering their own truths. On the other hand, religious people are part of an organized religion and follow the teachings and beliefs of their religion’s founders. However, it is noteworthy that both spiritual and religious people seem to be healthier in certain ways.
Health Benefits of Spiritual Connection
Mature adults who strongly believe that the world has higher power or a higher being have been seen to lead healthier lives. Spiritual people are believed to live happier lives with a higher sense of purpose and fulfillment. They experience lower levels of stress and depression and are more resilient. Such people are better able to cope with challenges in their lives and have stronger and more positive relationships with their family members. Spiritual people are more confident and have higher self-esteem and control. They find it easier to make sense of life experiences and being unwell helps them find the inner strength for a faster recovery. It can even help to improve their immune system and emotional state. These benefits are suggested to be correlated to the sense of peace from the belief of being part of a greater plan.
Ways to Nurture the Spirit
There are a few ways to get in touch with your spiritual being. The first way is by exploring different art forms. You do not need to have the talent to be able to enjoy such activities, as the process of creating something will help with the spiritual connection. You can learn how to draw from Youtube videos or take classes on the art form of your choice.
You can also use music as a way to connect spiritually as there are therapeutic benefits that come with music therapy. Music can connect people with forgotten memories and emotions. It also helps to calm the mind and spirit, making it a great spiritual tool. Journaling will also help you connect with your inner spirit and with enough practice, can lead to spiritual discovery. Lastly, nature-related activities such as gardening and hiking can help you on your spiritual journey as well.
