How a Focus on Spiritual Wellness Benefits Seniors

When you hear the word wellness, you might first think of activities that improve physical and mental well-being. But there’s another type of wellness worth exploring for seniors––spiritual wellness.

You don’t necessarily need to be religious to practice spiritual wellness. That’s because it’s more about connecting to your inner self in a way that transcends you and your worldly concerns. It’s also a way to connect in a more compassionate way to people and to nature.

For those who do believe in a higher power, practicing spiritual wellness can involve connecting to your faith on a deeper level. As we age, spiritual wellness is important because it can also help people summon the strength to get through difficult times.

Working on your spiritual health is beneficial to people of all ages, but for seniors, there’s proof that it can boost well-being. And there’s real evidence that “caring for the human spirit” as the Health Care Chaplaincy Network calls it, really does work. The organization released an entire body of evidence in 2014 on the positive effects of spiritual wellness, and continues to conduct research, identifying several benefits:

• Helping prevent feelings of loneliness and depression
• Helping inspire hope and positivity
• Boosting your immune system’s response
• Lowering your blood pressure and reducing anxiety
• Helping you with concentration and focus 

Spiritual Wellness Exercises to Try Now

If you’re ready to give spiritual wellness a try, keep in mind that spirituality is deeply personal––what it means to one person can be completely different than what it means to someone else. But each definition is equally valid if it resonates with your heart and mind, and helps you find deeper meaning to your life.

Below are 3 spiritual wellness tips and exercises to get you started on your journey. Practicing them together with like-minded friends adds a wonderful opportunity to discuss what you’re feeling and to be inspired by others. Socializing and sharing are always good for the soul!

Do an Inner Self-Check

Our spiritual selves can go through as many ups and downs as our mental and physical selves do. Resolve to give yourself an inner self checkup every few months with some key questions. It’s a great way to reconnect with…YOU. Here are things to consider:

• Every day brings an opportunity to live our values and to demonstrate them. How is that working for you?
• When times get difficult, how do you summon the strength to go on?
• Where do you go to regenerate your spiritual strength? To a person? To a place of worship? Other?
• Where’s your happy place, the place where you find comfort and peace…is it on the map or in your mind?
• What are the external or internal things that give your life purpose and meaning?
• Do you feel that you’re  an understanding and compassionate person? How do you show this to others, especially those who are different from you? Is there room to grow?

Explore Meditation and Yoga

Of all the exercises recommended for seniors, meditation and yoga are two of the very best. Both are excellent for stress reduction, relaxation, and creating an overall sense of well-being and calm––even improving your quality of sleep. With yoga, you get the added benefit of increasing your flexibility.

Meditation uses a slow, steady focus to help quiet and clear your mind of stress and anxiety while tapping into your inner self. Yoga combines meditation with stretching and flexibility exercise, so it’s a triple play for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Communities like Monroe Village are dedicated to creating an environment that fosters overall. Yoga classes and guided meditation are among the offerings, as are numerous other LivWell programs that promote growth, learning, and emotional health for residents.

Seek Guidance from the Wise

Many people find comfort in sacred texts and the teachings of religious leaders. Others seek words of wisdom from community leaders, educators, and others.

If you’re fortunate enough to be a resident in a senior living community like Monroe Village, you have a built-in support team, including clergy and others who understand the powerful health benefits of spiritual wellness. Residents can participate in nondenominational services, group programs, and individual counseling right in their own community, regardless of whether they practice Christianity, naturism, Judaism, meditation, or any other inspiring spiritual pursuit.

Live in a Community Focused on You

At Monroe Village, all beliefs are valued and honored––and we encourage our residents to be learners, seekers, and explorers in all ways. Life is to be experienced, and our community focuses on offering ways to expand your mindset and learn something new every day––even about yourself. If you’d like to learn more about how our award-winning wellness program caters to individual needs, let’s talk. We look forward to meeting you!