If you ask a person what spirituality is, they would have a hard time explaining it. Why? Spirituality can mean different things to different people. It is also practiced in many kinds of ways.
One common theme regarding spirituality is the belief in a higher power or something greater than ourselves. We’re navigating through life, trying to find our life purpose and fulfill it to the best of our ability.
Research has also shown the health benefits of spirituality and how it can change our lives through consistent practice. If you’re interested in boosting your mental and physical health, here are five benefits associated with practicing spirituality.
Stress is a common factor in why our immunity systems can fail us sometimes. We get overwhelmed by stressors in our lives and get sick. Having a healthy immune system can prevent us from contracting life-threatening viruses.
Spirituality encourages wellbeing and creates immunity-boosting hormones in our brains. Praying, going for walks, and meditating are great ways to help keep our immune system healthy.
Depression can develop when we feel like there’s no end in sight to the pain we’re experiencing. One way to combat depression is by using meditation. Some benefits of meditation include:
With meditation, we’ll be able to increase our emotional stability and our health. There are also different forms of meditation that you can use depending on your needs.
As humans, we all want to live a long life. One of the benefits of spirituality includes adding years to your life span. Studies show that those who practice spirituality live longer than others. Consistent daily practices, such as praying, encourages a healthy lifestyle.
Practicing gratitude is something that most spiritual people do. Their emotional stability makes it easier to appreciate life. The benefits of practicing gratitude include:
Those nights where you sit and ask yourself questions like, “What is truth?” will be a thing of the past. You’ll appreciate all that life has to offer and improve your health in the process.
Relationships are essential to our social development. We need them to learn more about ourselves, other people, and the world around us. Without solid relationships, we can develop harmful health conditions.
Practicing spirituality can strengthen the relationships you have with others. Your belief in a higher power encourages a sense of community and helps you grow in social settings. You’ll be around like-minded individuals that will become your support system.
Now that you know the benefits of spirituality, it’s time to start your journey. Practicing spirituality doesn’t mean you have to follow a religious structure. It means you’re choosing practices that will help you live a healthy life.
If you’re interested in spirituality and other beneficial health practices, check out our other blog posts.