Spirituality
You may find comfort in nurturing your spiritual side.
If you’re a spiritual person, you may
have long felt a connection between
your beliefs and your physical well-being.
Recent research suggests that
spirituality and religion may play a
role in helping people cope with illness,
both emotionally and physically.
Religion can also provide a support
system — a social group, a community
that shares the same values, and a life
philosophy — that imparts a sense
of well-being and can help you feel
less alone.
Sources of sprirituality
For lots of people, belonging to a
church, synagogue, mosque, or other
religious community connects them
to their faith and other people who
share their beliefs. Others consider
themselves part of a religious community,
but express their faith through
private prayer.
Organized religion is just one form
of spirituality. Many people who don’t
practice a religion find that certain
activities or rituals shift their thoughts
from daily worries and connect them
to a higher power. For instance, you
may find that meditation, walking
in the woods, or listening to your
favorite music may bestow a sense of
inner peace, even if you don’t consider
yourself religious. Spirituality means
realizing you’re not alone, and you
can turn to God for help, support,
or comfort.
Spirituality and religion may
become even more important during
times of crisis like a serious illness.
You’ve probably wondered at some
point, why me? For some, religion
helps to answer that question. Others
find that prayer helps them make it
through the tougher parts of treatment
or gives them peace of mind.
Spirituality and healing
Studies show that the practice of
prayer can actually have a positive
effect on a variety of physical processes,
including healing and recovery
time and the reproduction rate of
cancer cells.
These benefits aren’t necessarily
restricted to the religious setting,
however. Studies suggest that people
who practice meditation may live
longer and enjoy improved health.
Other relaxation techniques can help
alleviate stress, anxiety, and pain. How
you choose to express your spirituality
is highly personal.
Finding your own spirituality
There are many different ways you can express your spirituality and enjoy
its health benefits:
Attend your church, mosque, or temple. Taking part in an
organized religious community can give you
practical, moral, and spiritual support.
Shared religious practices can also
bring families and friends closer
together during times of crisis.
Pray or meditate on
your own. Prayer
and meditation
provide positive
ways to cope with
negative feelings
and fears and may
give you a sense
of peace.
Get in touch with nature. Something as
simple as taking a walk in a pleasant
park or in the countryside can help
you connect with
the beauty of the
natural world, and
give you a sense of
calm and peace.
Some see nature as
a reminder of their
place in the universe
or as the promise of
regeneration.
Spiritual counseling. If you already
have a relationship with a member
of the clergy, he
or she can play a
supportive role
during your illness.
Additionally, most
hospitals have a
pastor or chaplain
on staff. Even if
you’re not a member of the same
faith, religious counselors can be
comforting to talk to, and they have
lots of experience helping people cope.