Importance of Spirituality on Health
Many people in today?s world believe that spirituality is important to their health. Spirituality and health is in spirit that looks beyond the physical body. In the ancient systems of medicine and healing, mind, body and soul where seen as interconnected and non-separable. Spirituality and Health were not seen as separated but closely connected. There is a growing body of evidence linking spirituality to positive health outcomes. Spirituality is part of the basic human experience.
Spirituality has many meanings and it may mean something different to different people. Spiritual healing techniques and spiritually based health care systems are among the most ancient healing practices. Spirit is the liveliness, richness, and beauty of one?s life. Spirituality is the drive to become everything one can be, and it is bound to intuition, creativity, and motivation.
Health in a spiritual perpective concern both physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of our being. An approach where spirituality and health are seen as two sides of the same coin is holistic by nature and looks at the whole being to understand and correct that which is not in balance.
The benefits that spiritual religion offers are almost always deeper, by offering something to believe in and count on, it is possible to improve the overall health. This is typically due to the fact that having something to believe in spiritually can help to improve the desire to survive and even live. An engagement with the spiritual dimensions of life has always been an essential component of health and wellbeing.
In modern times, the role of spirituality and religion in medicine encompasses such practices as the use of meditation and prayer in healing, pastoral counseling, evoking forgiveness and compassion, engaging the mystery of death in end of life care, and the search for meaning in illness for patients and families as well as the health professionals who work with them. Integrative medicine emphasizes the importance of bringing spirituality into the healing process.
The practice of using spirituality as a means to improve health has been around for thousands of years.? Many believe that the use of spirituality to improve health has such a long history because it seems to works. Spirituality is also the manner in which one finds meaning, hope, comfort and inner peace in life.? It is expressed in an individual’s search for meaning through religion or belief in God, family, nature, values, principles, and the arts. Although religion and spirituality are often associated, many believe that personal spirituality can be developed outside of religion. Acts of compassion and selflessness, altruism, and the experience of inner peace are all characteristics of spirituality.
Spirituality and Health is for people who wish to explore the spiritual journey, the journey to self-knowledge, authenticity, and integration. We draw from the wisdom of many traditions and cultures with an emphasis on sharing spiritual practices
While spirituality is a concept globally acknowledged there is no consensus on how to define it.? Spirituality can encompass belief in a higher being, the search for meaning, and a sense of purpose and connectedness. Although religiosity and spirituality are not synonymous, there can be a wide overlap between them.
In addition to stressful disease-management and treatment adherence issues, persons living with HIV/AIDS experience ongoing psychosocial stressors, both interpersonal and intrapersonal, associated with diagnosis of a life-threatening chronic illness. These multiple, severe, and merciless stressors may deeply affect the individual?s QOL and tax existing coping resources. Thus, given the potential impact of HIV/AIDS, understanding the interaction and relationships among biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions is imperative.
Healthcare often conjures images of patients, illnesses, medicines, hospitals etc. in our minds. These terms are generally associated with pain and suffering. Dealing with such emotions often demands tremendous energy and strength. Doctors and clinicians are healers through the caring relationships they form with patients. Caring often requires calling on an individual?s inner strengths.
These strengths, among others, include spiritual resources that support integration or wholeness of body, mind and spirit. By addressing the spiritual and religious dimensions in patient care, clinicians can be truly holistic and bring patients? wellbeing to the forefront. Spiritual and or religious care that is ethical and sensitive is an invaluable part of total patient care. The relationship between spirituality and medicine is taken pretty seriously in recent years
Effective healthcare organizations do not merely work for profit but work with patients and staff with a view to build spiritual relationships with them. Practicing spirituality while offering healthcare service is a challenging task. If done responsibly, the practice of medicine can be the best field for integrating science and spirituality
There is considerable scientific research analyzing the potential connection between religious practice, prayer and health. The research suggests that there is a link between spiritual practice and better health. Even if you do not pray or meditate, having religious or spiritual beliefs can reduce anxiety and increase levels of interleukin-6, a blood protein that indicates good immune function.
The researchers investigated how teenagers suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), could use spirituality and holiness to battle the disorder. The research also has revealed that spirituality can help teenagers and adolescents, to recover with chronic illnesses of long standing suffering from IBD, are at a greater risk, social stigma, and various mental and emotional health issues and problems.
People with strong spiritual beliefs tend to live longer. They are less likely to develop heart disease, cancer and other serious illnesses. They are more energetic and less likely to feel depressed or anxious.
And one could argue that such a belief has continued to this day because it is successful.
By combining together the powers of modern medicine with the spiritual benefits of spirituality religions, it is possible to significantly shorten healing times, as well as improve the overall health that you are accustomed to.