Stress & Spirituality ? How Spirituality Affects Stress Levels
Take a moment to close your eyes and think about what a 'spiritual' person looks like. Whether you see them as sitting lotus-style in saffron robes or speaking emphatically from a pulpit, I'd bet one thing you won't see them as is 'stressed'. Relaxed? serene? beatific. These are all adjectives we associate with the super-spiritual. But stressed? Kind of defeats the purpose of all that spirituality, doesn't it?
I'm going to take a moment here to make the all-important distinction between religion and spirituality. Different people have different definitions of each, but for the purposes of this article, it's important to be clear about what I mean by each term. A religion is a codified set of beliefs and practices shared by adherents. Spirituality, by contrast, is about an individual's relationship with Spirit (however they might see it) and their connection with their own spiritual aspect. Please note that the two concepts can co-exist, but that religion doesn't have to be spiritual, and equally, spirituality doesn't need to be religious.
In this article, I want to focus on spirituality, rather than religion. If you do follow an organised religion, feel free to apply the information to your own spiritual path. If not, I invite you to keep in mind the difference between religion and spirituality as you read. This is because there's a great deal of evidence that a healthy spiritual belief system can both help lessen the impact some of our stressors have on us, and deal with the consequences of our stress responses. The first half of this article covers some of the suggested reasons for this, while the second (which will appear in the next issue of Optimum Stress News) explores how we can use this link to help with our stress management.
SUPPORT NETWORKS
Most stressors seem bigger and more difficult to deal with if we're feeling isolated and as though we're dealing with them alone. Knowing that we belong to and can connect with a group of people who care, and who can offer solace, strength and possibly even solutions, can do much to offset that feeling. And interestingly enough, that sense of belonging doesn't necessarily have to be to a group of people. If we see the natural world as something we can interact with, or Spirit or our Higher Selves as beings with whom we can talk, then they can become part of our support just as much as actual people could.
PERSPECTIVE
In the thousand and one things we all have to do to keep up with the demands work, study, family, and friends; problems that would seem fairly minor if they attacked us one-by-one can seem unbearably huge. At such times, believing in something bigger than ourselves (or bigger than the day-to-day self who has to deal with all of these problems) can sometimes help to shrink our stressors back down to something approaching a manageable size.
MEANING
It's a hard thing to accept when we're going through tough periods, but it's not the things that happen to us that upset us. What upsets us is the meanings we give those events. For example, if I've just failed a job interview, it's not actually failing the interview that's upset me ? it's all the things I've made it mean. Perhaps, in my mind, it means I'll never get a job, that I'm just no good at interviews, that I'll always be broke, or even that I'm a useless person in all areas of my life. Whatever it might be, unless I had my heart set on that specific job, it's unlike to just be the interview results. When this happens, a sense of spirituality can help me to look for positive meanings in seemingly negative events ? enabling me to ask what I can learn, or how I can grow stronger, instead of asking why it's always me that gets dumped on.
SPACE & STILLNESS
Something most spiritual systems emphasise is the need for time spent by ourselves in quiet and stillness. In this still space, our minds - weary of thoughts rushing around at breakneck speed ? can find rest. The time alone can be spent meditating, praying, or just listening and appreciating what is there around and within us in that given moment. The form doesn't matter ? whatever is right for you is what's right for you. It's the peace and respite we're accessing ? the simple 'time out' that makes this so helpful for stress management.
These are just four of the possible suggested ways that developing a personal spirituality can help in keeping our stress at optimum levels. In Part 2, we'll look at how we can start to develop the kind of spirituality that's true to our own individual values, and how to make use of it as a tool for managing stress. If you have any questions or comments on the first half of the article, please don't hesitate to contact me. Otherwise, until the next issue, may every day bring you closer to your optimum life.
Copyright 2005 Tanja Gardner
Optimum Life's Tanja Gardner is a Stress Management Coach and Personal Trainer whose articles on holistic health, relaxation and spirituality have appeared in various media since 1999. Optimum Life is dedicated to providing fitness and stress management services to help clients all over the world achieve their optimum lives. For more information please visit check out http://optimumlife.co.nz, or contact Tanja on http://optimumlife.co.nz.
Airbnb cleaning service Arlington Heights ..I'm not sure Paul had the Japanese culture in mind... Read More
If we are honest with ourselves, we would have to... Read More
Animal spirit totems can be viewed in different ways according... Read More
He knew it was going to happen. He wasn't really... Read More
Last Friday night, I met a Christian at a prayer... Read More
We'll begin with a question:What is a moral?I'd say it's... Read More
Divining Rods, also known as Dowsing Rods, have been used... Read More
Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell recently starred in the movie... Read More
Make no mistake about it, change is challenging whether it... Read More
Within every obstacle there is an equivalent or greater benefit.~Napoleon... Read More
Before we dwell on the subject of Self Realization we... Read More
One of the most frightening things... Read More
Some of my greatest teachers have taught me that faith... Read More
The greatest frustration in a Christian's life is not being... Read More
Let's say that you have discovered your purpose but you... Read More
One thing that Jesus was NOT - was flashy. When... Read More
Iktomi:Another and somewhat longer term correspondent of mine is a... Read More
It's real easy to look at the physical world around... Read More
Mormons like to give testimonies. Unlike Mormon testimonies, I will... Read More
The dictionary defines the word forgive as: [to pardon, as... Read More
As soon as he saw me I saw him. It... Read More
There are many energy beings available to assist us in... Read More
Good morning Roy, good morning JosethWhat about me, were do... Read More
Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?"... Read More
Our church is infested with lobby lizards. They crawl around... Read More
reliable maid service Winnetka ..I thought I would draw this article up as a... Read More
The Apocalypse, or unveilling, is the name given to the... Read More
This question, "what is grace" plagued me more into knowing... Read More
There once was a man who wanted to teach himself... Read More
The concept of integrity has arisen often in discussions of... Read More
For many years of my life, I thought the spiritual... Read More
On Shamans and Shamanism ... Shaman, a Tungus (Siberian) word,... Read More
In Corrogue I feel wonderful.As friends know I love singing.... Read More
Dreams take us not into ourselves, but out of ourselves.... Read More
What is the opportunity here? What is the benefit of... Read More
The fastest way to raise your frequency is to do... Read More
Back in the days of the old law of Moses,... Read More
Sundered Knight:Although the world, Denies the weak aid and justice,... Read More
We see it all the time in people's lives some... Read More
Attract and hold your family at home with some unique... Read More
For me, the best poetry stirs my soul; it awakens... Read More
With those words recorded in Exodus 15:26, God proclaims to... Read More
Your mind-body team is made up of your mind and... Read More
Freedom....The cherished goal of humanity throughout its history.No society has... Read More
(Channelled)Good morning Roy, good morning Joseth.What has love got to... Read More
We are the beneficiaries of the promise God made to... Read More
Among some of us who deem ourselves spiritual, the use... Read More
Baptism and christening ceremonies are an important event that signifies... Read More
The Many Waters explores the universe and sifts through the... Read More
We've all heard the saying, "You have to forgive, but... Read More
Spirituality |