How to reconnect with your spirituality in four easy steps
By Cassie Steele
Many people believe that spirituality equates to religion, but that’s not the case. While you can be spiritual and religious, the two aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, 64 percent of Americans say they don’t attend religious services, and 23 percent say they don’t identify as any particular religion. Yet 59 percent of those who don’t consider themselves religious say they regularly experience feelings of spiritual peace. If you are among those looking to reconnect to your spirituality, here are few ways to get started.
Invest in yourself
A healthy mind-body balance is crucial to spiritual health, so start by investing in yourself. Exercise, make healthy food choices, and get plenty of water and sleep. Meditate regularly and read spiritual texts or whatever inspires you. To connect spiritually, you much have a healthy mind-body connection.
Connect with nature
Spirituality and nature are intertwined. But these days, when most of us are running around big cities and suburbs and spending hours staring at a computer, our connection to nature has been lost. To reconnect to your spirituality, you need to reconnect with nature. By renewing your sense of wonder about the beauty of the world, you reduce the influence of consumerism and material goods on your happiness. This in turn increases your spiritual connection to the world and others who live in it.
So start spending more time in your local parks. Go for long walks or hikes. Visit the beach. Go out in your backyard and look up at the trees or the stars. Sit in a window and watch a storm pass through. Listen to the birds sing.
Indulge in the things you’re passionate about
Today we spend more time doing the things we have to do — working, taking care of our homes and families, running errands, and so forth — rather than the things we love to do. Too often, hobbies and interests fall by the wayside. This causes a profound life/work imbalance, and that affects your spiritual connections. Take the time to do the things you love, especially creative pursuits. Creating things gives us a deep connection to the power within us and the world around us. Self-expression is to a healthy spiritual life what water and sunshine are to plants. Nourish your spiritual life by making your passions a priority.
Be kind
There is something to be said for paying it forward. It’s easy to ignore other people’s feelings and troubles and find yourself in your little bubble, but it’s detrimental to your spiritual health. Instead, be conscious of those around you, and express kindness whenever you can. Every act of kindness goes out into the universe and strengthens your connection to it and to your local community. By bringing good to others, you bring good to yourself and create a strong spiritual connection. It doesn’t take much effort or any money to do. Smile more, hold open doors, wish others a good day, and show patience and empathy.
By investing in yourself, your passions, and the world around you, you can reconnect with your spirituality and enjoy a healthy mind-body balance.
Wow, Cassie, great article, and a “must” read for anybody not fulfilled or unhappy. I would add two more things that I have found helpful. If anybody gets down here in the comment section, lol ~ <10. Music is A SPECIAL FRIEND – Listening and meditating to music that inspires you, and music that is not too harsh, or with too distractive lyrics for 20 min minimum, no interruption, and gentle breathing, WORKS WONDERS. Rap not recommended – U2 , Radiohead, Yes, Coldplay, The Verve, or even melo Zep are a few I recommend etc. Lastly I saw a BYU Devotional TV episode about a Mormon guy who finds his "sacred grove" to chill and pray. Well there are nice cool caves and grottos out in the desert that give you silence, solitude, and separation from the crazy world around us. PS, leave tour cellphone off or behind. Hope this catches on.