Spiritual Stressors
Spiritual health practices have a positive correlation with survival, low blood pressure, less remission time from depression, less number of cigarettes smoked per day per week, less severe medical illness, better quality of life, cooperativeness, etc.
Available empirical evidence suggests the positive role of spirituality in coping with many physical and mental ailments and its role as a way of life to prevent illness, coping with illness, to some extent help in curing, its prognosis and rehabilitation as well. Research further suggests that positive values, attitudes, beliefs and strength that one acquires through spiritual health practices contribute to one’s sense of well-being, health and happiness. Our spiritual facet pertains to our sense of meaning and purpose in life, self-awareness, self-actualization, acceptance of self, others and nature, degree of realization of our creative, intellectual, and social potential, and our relationship to the Transcendent (or Higher Power). It profoundly impacts our emotional, mental, and physical health.
This facet is all about connecting with our highest values and passions, embracing our abilities, and becoming that which we can glimpse in our most perfect moments.
Once we determine and embrace our deepest values and life’s purpose, we are impelled forward toward wholeness and uniqueness, toward full functioning of all our capacities, toward joy and self-fulfillment. As our awareness expands, so does our realization of the possibilities and opportunities around us. This possibility mindset fills us with motivation and a sense of excitement and eager anticipation as we start each new day.
“If the essential core of the person is denied or suppressed, he gets sick sometimes in obvious ways, sometimes in subtle ways, sometimes immediately, sometimes later.”
When we allow fear to hold us back from exploring, growing, and expanding, from following our dreams and living authentically, we deprive ourselves of success, happiness, and optimal wellbeing. Chronic conditions that may result from a perpetual state of spiritual stress may include: depression, anxiety, panic or nervousness (especially in social settings), cognitive problems/conditions, physiological conditions (such as fatigue, weight gain, cardiovascular conditions, digestive disorders, etc.)
“A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately happy”
Spiritual Stressors include:
- Lack of authenticity
- Lack of self-actualization
- Lack of self-love
- Lack of trust in the process of life (or in a Higher Power)
- Limiting emotional patterns (fear, sadness, despair, etc)
- Limiting mental patterns and attitudes
These stressors may result from limited self-awareness, lack of clarity regarding one’s life purpose and highest values, stagnate personal growth, stifled (or untapped) creativity and inspiration, disconnection from the Transcendent, emotional stressors, and mental Stressors.
Once you identified your stressors, it’s time to de-stress to unleash natural health… here are a few ideas on how to resolve your spiritual stressors and navigate your way back to natural health and optimal wellbeing:
- Expand your self-awareness (through introspection, meditation, prayer, coaching, energy healing, workshops, seminars, self-help books/films, etc)
- Engage in activities/training that help you tap into your creativity
- Engage in activities/training that help you tap into your sources of inspiration
- Develop a relationship with the Transcendent
- Develop a daily spiritual practice (meditation, prayer, affirmations, journaling, etc.)
- Join a spiritual community
- Resolve emotional & mental stressors (since they may be impacting your spiritual state too)
Access powerful resources and tools that will help you de-stress your way back to optimal wellbeing:
