Nigel Cares: Spiritual wellness offers value

By Glen Harris Jr.

Assistant dean for student care and outreach

One of my closest friends once asked, "How can you define you, when you didn't design you?" My immediate response was something like, "Bro, that's fire! You need to put that in a song." At that time, I was in pursuit of finding answers to some of life's hardest questions: What is my purpose? Why was I born?

I was sensing a strong personal conviction to pursue a career that was going to help transform the lives of those around me.

However, it would be at the expense of changing my major and giving up on a lifelong dream of being a world-famous singer and actor. 

My friend's question challenged me to explore faith and spirituality in a brand new way.

Dr. Bill Hettler, co-founder of the National Wellness Institute, developed Six Dimensions of Wellness to help individuals cultivate a holistic sense of fulfillment and wellness. Just as important as the others, the spiritual dimension "recognizes our search for meaning and purpose in human existence. It includes the development of a deep appreciation for the depth and expanse of life and natural forces that exist in the universe."

Spirituality suggests there is more to life than what we experience with our five senses. The human spirit is the source of life that vitalizes humanity. It is the intangible that governs our mental and emotional existence. People who pursue spiritual wellness often demonstrate the following characteristics:

1. Are connected to someone/something greater than themselves.
2. Have a set of beliefs, morals, or values that provide a sense of purpose and meaning to life.
3. Allow those beliefs to guide their actions.

Spirituality does not always have to be associated with religion, but often can be. Research shows that engaging in spiritual or religious activities can assist in:

1. Coping with feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety.
2. Finding hope, positivity, and optimism.
3. Finding a sense of community and support.

Everyone experiences challenges and hardships. Exploring your spirituality may help you in navigating the difficult times when they arise and improve your overall well-being. There is research that correlates spirituality with resilience. Some call it "spiritual resilience." Spiritual resilience allows us to use internal and external spiritual resources to maintain our beliefs and sense of purpose, despite experiencing life's stress and challenges.

This week, I encourage you to explore some spiritual activities. Reflect on how you felt before and after doing it.

• Pray (talking to God).
• Meditate (ponder, reflect, think over).
• Read a devotion, spiritual book, or theological text.
• Take a walk near nature.
• Sit silently near a stream or lake.
• Attend a religious service.
• Engage with others in spiritual conversations.