This might sound a bit odd: what does spirituality have to do with health? Well, as it turns out, a lot! Keep reading to find out the importance of spirituality for health.
In my nutritional coaching training, we were taught the three pillars to health:
- Physical health (nutrition + exercise)
- Psychological health (mindset, ability to handle stress, etc.)
- And Spiritual health
Like a three-legged stool, we are not balanced if all three of the above are not in sync.
Welcome to the latest installment of the 9-post series based on my recent read: Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest.
And this week’s topic is Secret #7: The Importance of Spirituality on Health.
Now, before we go any further, we will discuss what is meant by “spirituality” (and a disclaimer: this part is not in the book). The short answer is that it can mean different things to different people.
Spirituality is not religion, though some people achieve it via religion. One book I read recently referred to it as G.U.S.: God, Universe, or Spirit. In other words, the word you use is not what’s important, it’s how you perceive and interact with your higher power.
In my training, we learned that spirituality can be viewed simply as “connection”: connection to oneself (personal spirituality – i.e. our self-talk and concept of self-worth), connection to others (communal spirituality) and connection to nature or a higher power (environmental spirituality).
There are a number of definitions for spirituality such as:
- A search for meaning
- Interconnectedness with all living beings
- Belief in a power greater than oneself
- Development of personal values and morals
- A striving for inspiration and purpose (as in Secret #5)
Now, in the Blue Zones book, it does refer specifically to religion and religious practices as a measure of the health of the cultures studied. I would like to expand that view, however, to include all types of spiritual practices, as I have learned that it is the connection – not the method – that makes the impact.
Practices that equal the health benefits of religion are things like yoga, meditation, breathwork, spending time in nature, etc.
Now, back to the book!
The Blue Zones communities all had some sort of religious (or spiritual) practice, which is one of the “secrets” attributed to their long, healthy lives.
Why would that be?
Well, for one, studies have shown that having a regular spiritual practice reduced the risk of death: by a third if that practice was at least monthly. In fact, there was an NIH-funded Adventist Health Study that showed that “those who went to church services frequently were 20% less likely to die at any age.”
Because…those who took care of their spiritual side developed lower rates of cardiovascular disease, depression, stress, suicide, and had better-functioning immune systems.
Wow!
People of faith (or a spiritual practice) are healthier and happier, thus less likely to engage in destructive behaviors like smoking, partaking in drugs, or drinking and driving. Spirituality goes hand in hand with better mental health, stronger community connections and optimism.
Belonging to a community also meets the basic need of human connection, reduces stress, and can improve one’s self-esteem and self-worth.
So, how do we use spirituality to live longer, healthier lives?
Here are the Blue Zone tips for incorporating Secret #7 into your life:
Importance of Spirituality
Be More Involved
Volunteer, join a choir or find a hobby that knits you to a community – religious or not. If you are involving yourself in a religious community, take a more active role.
Explore a New Tradition
If you do not currently have a faith or spiritual community, try finding a group that aligns to your beliefs and values. In addition to the many religions in the world, there are several non-religious or non-denominational options that are not based on strict dogma.
For example, Buddhism is a philosophy that focuses on achieving a state of inner peace and wisdom (nirvana) and does not acknowledge a super god or deity.
Unitarian Universalism is based on a shared search for spiritual growth as characterized by the search for truth and meaning.
And the American Ethical Union is a non-theistic organization that focuses on creating a more humane society.
This is a big world with many options for celebrating your beliefs and values. Chances are, there are others who share those values with whom you could build or join a community that will bring you joy and longevity.
Just Go
Whatever your jam, the key is to do it and do it regularly. Find something you love and start doing it. Schedule in an hour per week for the next 8 weeks and see how you like it.
Go with an open mind and make a commitment to yourself to see how you feel at the end of the 8 weeks.
What have you got to lose?
And that’s it for Secret #7: The Importance of Spirituality on Health! If you haven’t read the first 6 Secrets, you may want to start with Secret #1 here. Also, that one includes recommendations for slowly incorporating the secrets into your life.