EmmeNation asked our friends on FB & Twitter what spiritual wellness meant to them. These are the responses that we got…
Bob Mchugh said that it means “Gratitude and contentment and compassion and most of all love.”
Jeanne Dickey said, “Love, gratitude, and forgiveness.”
Sylvia B. defined it as “Peace with her creator and within herself.”
Spiritual wellness doesn’t have one solid definition. Because of this, EmmeNation has brought you all sorts of everyday rituals to help you regroup after a stressful day.
Making your own rituals
While you are at work or in the middle of a busy week, develop some easy-to-do rituals that remind you to slow down and just breathe. For example:
- Don’t eat lunch at your desk - take your lunch to a nearby park and set up a blanket for yourself. The change in environment alone can help you de-stress.
- For every couple of hours, take some ‘me’ time. Walk around or just sit at your desk, turn on a peaceful song, and practice breathing.
- Download an app on your smartphone related to spiritual wellness. Mashable has an awesome list of seven applications that can help you relax straight from your phone.
Hug a tree!
No really, go hug a tree! Author Matthew Silverstone explains in his book Blinded by Science how hugging a tree can improve many health issues such as mental illness, ADHD, depression, the ability to alleviate headaches, reaction time and concentration levels. As adults, we may think that the simple act of hugging a tree may be silly, but plants and trees actually facilitate the cleansing and revitalizing of all the stored up negativity and stress humans experience, and give it a place to be absorbed. So next time you’re in the park, don’t be shy to go and hug a tree.
Walk around barefoot
During your lunch break go ahead and take off those tight shoes and loosen up. Experience the flow of the earth’s energy connecting to your physical body. It is amazing how simply laying on the grass or sand can take you away from all the stresses of the world. Ground yourself and take five minutes to connect to nature by simply walking barefoot.
Take a Memory Walk
Celebrant Institute shared a wonderful ritual that helps connect you back to nature. Simply pick a five to ten minute walk and grab a camera. While you are on this walk, pause and take pictures of captivating landmarks. Now you can pick a time of day - whenever you’d like, to recreate this memory walk. Visualize your walk by calling upon your senses: recall the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations of the walk. This walk will give you instant access to the calming powers of nature at anytime.
Relax & Renew - everyday activities that will help bring you peace
Especially after a long summer day of running around, make sure to treat yourself to a long cold shower. It will help you calm your body and mind.
2. Go For a Long Drive
Long, meaningless drives on the open road are best when you have too much on your mind. The open road and a CD filled with relaxing tunes can get your mind off of your daily stresses.
3. Take 10 Deep Breaths
It’s shocking how many of us forget to stop and just breathe during a week of back to back work. Stopping to allow yourself to take 10 deep breaths will put you in a brand new state of mind.
4. Go For a Really Exerting Run
The sweat that you are losing releases tons of toxins and stress! Push yourself and go - you won’t regret it afterwards!
5. Curl Up With a Really Good Book
Spend the weekend for yourself, make sure to be in a completely quiet room and curl up under a blanket with a good book. You will feel completely calm afterwards…maybe even lead you to a quick energizing nap.