Our culture has always placed emphasis on spiritual practices in some way or the other. We always wonder why? Why is it important to follow them and what benefits does it have? 

Let’s try to delve deep into this and understand why the world is moving towards spirituality and how it can help alleviate stress and enhance mental health. 

Recently we see a lot of attention given to spiritual practices and it has become mainstream.

This brings us to the question - “What is spirituality afterall?”

According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists - “Spirituality involves recognition of a feeling or a sense or belief that there is something greater than myself, something more to being human than sensory experience, and that the greater whole of which we are part is cosmic or divine in nature."

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The Different Ways of Spirituality

Spirituality does not always mean meditating and it manifests in various ways depending on culture and one’s belief system. Some of them are listed below.

           It refers to the practice of being in the here and now. Activities like meditation, yoga and self-reflection allow us to do that. It heightens the awareness of what a person feels and senses in the present.

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“                                                             “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”                                                 ”
-  -Pablo Picasso

          Art has a tremendous ability to contribute to our spiritual health. There have been instances where artists went into a deeper state of consciousness while indulging in their art form. 

          Its impact is so strong that even as an audience, art leaves an impression on all of us. We have all experienced great joy while listening to music or watching theatre even if we have no role in its creation.

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           All the ancient civilizations, since the beginning of time, have worshipped nature. Humans recognized the might and respected what nature provided them. 

           A lot of spiritual people turn towards nature for grounding and honing their intuitive abilities. Connecting with Mother Earth not only helps quieten the mind but also alleviates anxiety and enhances mindfulness. 

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           Recording thoughts helps clear the mind and allows self reflection. It can also be used for visualizing and manifesting goals. This helps               put things in perspective. Lot of therapists also suggest journaling as a method to be able to navigate through complex emotions. 

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Why Has Spirituality Become Important in the Present Times?

The pandemic has been a turning point for many people to search for something meaningful. A lot of people went through challenging times and looked for a way to make sense of and deal with the ongoing scenario.

Working from home, too, caused isolation and reduced physical interaction. Spirituality not only gave purpose and motivation but also helped people introspect what they wanted.

Spirituality, in general, fosters a sense of being part of something bigger and brings people together. 

The sudden rise in spiritual organizations and podcasts focusing on spirituality is evidence to that. 

The science behind it-

By now, we all have either experienced it first-hand or have at least read somewhere that spiritual practices do lead to stress reduction. 

Stress has become part of our daily lives and we need a release from time to time to function effectively. 

A lot of research has been conducted which shows that meditation does bring relaxation by lowering cortisol levels. Mindfulness helps reduce anxiety and depression. In some cases, it has also helped with PTSD symptoms. 

Not only does it help in dealing with mental health struggles but also enhances cognitive functions like focus and heightens awareness. 

How to Be Spiritual

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Spirituality does tend to invoke images of “meditating on a hill in complete isolation” but that’s not the complete truth. While some people do prefer it for their spiritual ascension, it’s not necessary for a person who just wants to reap the benefits of various spiritual practices. 

You can simply go to the app store and get an app for meditation to help you with it or you can simply engage in mindful exercises like taking a nature walk, gardening or playing an instrument. Pint is that spirituality is found within and not outside. 

As mentioned earlier, spirituality has many facets and all of them lead to mental peace and a sense of security. The most important part is to find something that resonates with you and practice it.

For professional care, reach out to a mental health expert at Heart It Out today!