One white and yellow plumeria flower on a rock next to the beach at sunriseSpirituality is typically defined equally the search for transcendent meaning or as a belief in a greater existence outside of humankind. It can be linked to religion, but the practice of spirituality is generally considered to go beyond religion and connect individuals with something larger, such as the universe itself.

Both therapists and people seeking treatment may hesitate to include spirituality or religion in the exercise of therapy, due to the potential of differing behavior and the possible controversy of the topic. But research suggests a therapist'south inclusion of an individual's spiritual beliefs may assistance in therapy and in the process of healing.

  • What Is Spirituality?
  • What Is Spiritual Wellness?
  • Spirituality vs. Religion
  • Spirituality and Mental Health
  • Spiritual Abuse

What Is Spirituality?

Spirituality is generally considered to be broader than any religion 1 might practice, equally it takes into account cognitive and philosophic areas of thought as well as aspects of emotions and behavior. Some might describe spirituality as the effort to empathize i'south nature or the meaning of one's being, just spirituality is also linked to internal sensation and happiness. Many cultures and belief systems hold that a spirit is the essence of one'south existence. In these cases, spirituality may too draw a person's connection to others and to themselves.

Though some may draw themselves as spiritual without adhering to the principles of any religion or even having any religious idea, for others, religion is the manifestation of their spirituality. This manifestation may involve the performance of rituals—in one tradition or in some combination of traditions—with varying degrees of commitment and involvement in that faith. Spirituality may besides depict the attention people pay to their own well-being and that of others. For many, the exercise of trip the light fantastic, yoga, meditation, or volunteer work, amid others, are outlets in which to express spirituality.

What Is Spiritual Health?

Spirituality and wellness are connected. Just as physical wellness describes health in the body, spiritual wellness describes health in the spirit.

Spiritual wellness tin chronicle to religious belief. Some people link their spiritual wellness to the natural earth. Others define it by their relationships to others. Notwithstanding others may nurture spiritual wellness by living a fulfilling life according to their personal values.

Even so spiritual wellness is divers, information technology involves a connexion between people and something greater than themselves. This could be a higher ability, a person'south ain sense of meaning and purpose, or values or belief systems.

Emotional and mental health, physical health, and spiritual health are all office of full wellness. The mind and body are connected, so when wellness in ane area is lacking, other areas of wellness might be afflicted.

For example, a person who develops a chronic health condition may not experience optimistic about their wellness improving. If they become unable to work, savour hobbies, or take care of activities of daily life on their own, they may struggle to find meaning in life. These feelings could contribute to low or anxiety.

People in good spiritual health may:

  • Be hopeful and optimistic, even when things are difficult
  • Have compassion and empathy for others
  • Have defined values and live according to them
  • Have a strong sense of self-worth
  • Be more able to forgive others and themselves hands
  • Experience peaceful or in harmony with nature, life, and the globe
  • Discover solace in meditation or religious rituals like worship and prayer

People struggling with spiritual wellness might:

  • Feel empty or every bit if life lacks pregnant
  • Often experience broken-hearted or unsettled
  • Often feel equally if they demand to improve themselves
  • Feel unconcerned or uncaring near life
  • Gauge themselves and others apace and/or harshly
  • Find self-compassion and self-forgiveness difficult
  • Lack a sense of inner peace
  • Lack a sense of belonging

Spirituality vs. Religion

Some people consider spirituality and religion to be similar, if not identical concepts. While they are similar in ways, they aren't the aforementioned. To understand the deviation, it can help to think of religion equally something that's practiced and spirituality as something that only is.

Most religious belief systems involve regular activities, such as praying and going to church, though specific religious acts differ between religions. People bear witness their belief in a higher power through these acts of organized religion and reverence. Someone who does these things might consider themselves very religious, but people who don't become to church ofttimes may have as strong a faith in a higher ability as someone who goes frequently.

A person's spirituality doesn't necessarily depend on how religious they are. Ane fashion to think of spirituality is the inner energy in each person. This inner energy is part of who the person is: information technology might be their beliefs, values, ethics, or anything else that gives life meaning. It might involve activities that assist people analyze thoughts and feelings, similar journaling, yoga, or meditation.

People who belong to a religious organized religion often express their spirituality through their connection to their faith. They might feel supported past others who belong to the same faith and describe strength from their beliefs and prayers. Only religious faith isn't necessary for spirituality. It's possible to depict meaning from life and feel connected to the greater world without practicing religious traditions or even believing in a college power.

Faith and spirituality both relate to mental health. A sense of belonging and connectedness can assistance promote resilience and subtract risk for some mental health concerns. A 2013 review of multiple studies on religion and spirituality establish that, although religion tin have a negative impact on mental health in some cases, such every bit religious abuse or negative beliefs, organized religion and spirituality often promote positive coping techniques and good mental health.

Research suggests including a person'southward spirituality or religiosity can lead to better treatment outcomes. Many counselors now comprise a person's spiritual or religious beliefs into sessions.

Spirituality and Mental Wellness

Some individuals or families may be securely committed to their organized religion and base much of their lives effectually spirituality or religion. Prayer, religious meditation, or some other aspect of spiritual connectedness may form part of an private's cocky-intendance routine, as might church building or volunteer work in the community.

Spiritual beliefs tin can likewise play a significant role in one'southward ability to cope with adverse events in life. Spiritual practices tin:

  • Provide social and emotional support
  • Assistance people find meaning and purpose in life
  • Offer comfort in times of grief
  • Provide ethical and moral guidelines past which some choose to live

When a person who is religious or spiritual seeks treatment, sensitivity on the part of a therapist may be beneficial to treatment because it may atomic number 82 to a broader evaluation of the person seeking treatment and allow the therapist to explore a wider variety of treatment solutions.

Therapists who are aware of therapeutic strategies based in spirituality, such as spiritual journaling or forgiveness protocols, may besides be able to provide people in therapy with resources on these topics, whether or non they are able to address them personally. Individuals who proceeds strength from their spiritual faith may find information technology difficult to accomplish progress and healing in therapy when unable to address and incorporate all dimensions of who they are.

Many 12-step programs base of operations their principles on belief and trust in a higher power, though this ability may not be named specifically. One recent study found the spiritual beliefs of people in therapy impacted their levels of worry, stress, and tolerance of uncertainty. Those participants who trusted in a college power were found to be more trusting and to accept lower levels of worry, stress, and intolerance. Other studies have determined spiritual therapy may be helpful for those experiencing substance corruption.

Spiritual Abuse

Some people may use spiritual or religious beliefs to manipulate or control others. This is spiritual abuse. Spiritual corruption isn't always easy to recognize, especially if a person believes they are interim based on their beliefs. Simply it tin have astringent, long-lasting furnishings.

Spiritual abuse is generally seen within a religious system or inside families and romantic relationships.

A fundamental sign of spiritual abuse is shame. People made to feel ashamed by their beliefs or their deportment, who aren't immune by a partner or family member to practice their beliefs, or who are being manipulated or controlled as a result of their spirituality may be experiencing abuse.

Another sign of spiritual abuse is unmarried-minded thinking. Abuse can occur when religious leaders (and parents or partners) discourage questions, shame or punish those who feel spiritual incertitude or uncertainty, or when they aren't willing to discuss any departure of opinion.

Examples of spiritual abuse include:

  • Using faith or spiritual beliefs to extort money, goods, or services
  • Using a person's spirituality to shame them
  • Insulting a person'south spiritual practices
  • Forcing a person to make a selection confronting their spiritual or religious beliefs
  • Parents not allowing children to make their own choices nigh religion

Therapy may help people who are affected past spiritual abuse and those who wish to improve their spiritual wellness. Learn more about spirituality in therapy.

References:

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  2. Heinz, A., Disney, E., Epstein, D., Glezen, 50., Clark, P., & Preston, M. (2010, September 22). A focus-group study on spirituality and substance-corruption treatment. Retrieved from http://world wide web.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/manufactures/PMC2943841�
  3. Maloof, P. (n.d.). Trunk/Mind/Spirit: Toward a biopsychosocial-spiritual model of wellness. Retrieved from http://nccc.georgetown.edu/body_mind_spirit/alphabetize.html
  4. Newman, L. 50. (n.d.). Faith, spirituality, and organized religion: A model for understanding the differences. College of Student Affairs Periodical. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ956981.pdf
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  6. Smith, E. (2016). Spiritual wellness: What is your pregnant and purpose? Retrieved from https://world wide web.lhsfna.org/index.cfm/lifelines/september-2016/spiritual-wellness-what-is-your-meaning-and-purpose
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  9. What is spiritual corruption? (2015, November 12). The National Domestic Violence Hotline. Retrieved from https://www.thehotline.org/2015/11/12/what-is-spiritual-abuse