The old adage “it’s all connected” proves to be more and more true the more we learn about the mind and body. Spiritual health is becoming a growing concern as we see the importance to balance the logical and emotional. What we are finding the more we learn about the importance of spiritual, in addition to physical health, is that in order to take care of the whole, we have to take care of the sum of our parts first. Our mind, body, and soul, are all elements of the entity that is us. When we do not care for these three elements properly, we start to see disorder and negativity.
There are many things that people with a healthy spiritual life can teach us. There is always a way that our lives can be improved or that we can be more in tune with the natural world, it just requires a bit of thought and effort. From lifestyle changes to a simple change in outlook, small changes can have a profound overall impact on our lives.
What follows are six of the most important components to complete spiritual health that you will need to focus on. This is is, of course, not exhaustive, but focusing on improving these six areas of your life will put you on the path to ultimate spiritual, physical, and mental health and wellbeing.
Physical Activity
We are a complex organism with many different functions and elements. Like any machinery, we need to be sure that our personal machine, the body, is properly cared for. Getting active does more than just help ensure that our joints and muscles stay healthy and we maintain a proper weight. Exercise also helps reduce the amount of stress hormones released in the body.
Physical activity also provides instantaneous relief from stress. Much research has shown that when we exercise, we release chemicals that make us feel happy and content. We can literally make ourselves happier by keeping our body’s active.
Nutrition
As noted above, we are complex organisms. When you think of us as machines (which we are, obviously, much more than), the importance of so-called regular and preventative maintenance makes a lot more sense. The food we put in our body is like the gas we put in our car. The quality does matter. When we do not eat right, our bodies are lacking the energy and nutrients needed for optimum health and wellness.
When we eat healthy, we are giving our body what it needs to keep up functioning at a high level. When we eat right, we have more energy, our thoughts are clearer, we sleep better, our moods are more stable, and we are better able to handle the everyday stresses and rigors that daily life throws at us.
Good Social Environment
We, as humans, are social creatures. This should not be overlooked. Today, many of us are lonelier than ever before, even though we are constantly in a crowd. It is important to cultivate friendships and interpersonal relationships. These relationships do not maintain themselves though. All relationships require attention, focus, compassion, and care for them to remain beneficial. Do not ignore your social needs or let your relationships go on autopilot. These connections are part and parcel to a healthy spiritual outlook.
Mental Stimulation
Most of us make the mistake of non-learning. Once we are done with college, we seem to think our need to learn and be mentally stimulated is done. We should never stop learning and the mind is like any other muscle, you use it or lose it. People who are happy and content, spiritually and physically, have a lot going on upstairs. These people are constantly looking for new knowledge or participating in activities that keep their brain sharp and focused.
From reading a book, playing word games with your partner, or playing a single-player immersive game, there are more options than ever for fun ways to keep your mind active.
Healthy Stress Relief
Stress is an unavoidable part of everyday life. We live in a fast-paced, go-go-go environment that is not particularly conducive to calm contentedness. Stress has been shown to have all sorts of negative ramifications on the body and the mind. The longer we are exposed to chronic stress, the longer the list of potentially negative side effects of the stress gets.
Many people seek self-medication through the use of drugs and alcohol, or search for relief in activities like watching TV or eating. These are distractions or “band aids for bullet wounds” and will not, ultimately, work to reduce our levels of stress. Activities like meditation, mindfulness, positive visualization, and more, are excellent ways to relieve stress in a healthy and effective way.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness can be considered a way of perception and how you wish to view the world around you. Being mindful essentially means paying more attention to the hear and now. This is not a state that comes naturally, but it is part and parcel to spiritual health and wellbeing.
Allowing ourselves to be present in the here and now provides a wealth of different benefits. For one, when you are focused on the moment, you are not happy or sad, you are simply being and as a result, you must honestly accept how you feel for what it is. This is the ultimate path to non-judgment, and is highly recommended by those who have already achieved this level of mental clarity.
Spirtitual health is a multifaceted concept that must be understood as part of a greater picture. We cannot achieve spiritual health and wellness unless our body and mind are healthy as well. Through the cultivation of mindfulness and healthy relaxation skills, by focusing on physical and mental activity and stimulation, eating right and making sure that you have contact with others, you can easily take control of your spiritual wellbeing. Once all of these things are in place, we will find ourselves calm, relaxed, and better able to handle the stress and rigors that life throws our way with a smile on our faces.
