Spirituality is one’s own unique way of experiencing and exploring the essence of being and of finding hope, which relates to their purpose in existence. Practicing spirituality can be utilized to benefit the collective human body, as it has the capability to impact our overall mental and physical health.

The concept of spirituality can oftentimes be misinterpreted with following a certain religion or believing in a god. However, spirituality can be found within most aspects of life that have to deal with personal gratitude and fulfillment. One can practice spirituality by doing something they are truly passionate about. If you’re not quite sure what you are passionate about, try new things! Engage with people who will introduce you to positive and new activities that will give your actions and days more meaning. A great way to tell if an activity is spiritual for you is if you realize that you are completely mindful and present within that moment. It can be something as simple as going for a walk or listening to your favorite songs. Interacting with these types of activities often can benefit your long-term health.

A spiritual practice that has been consistent throughout my young adult life includes being a camp counselor for people with developmental and physical disabilities. Camp ReCreation, a summer camp that I first attended when I was just 16 years old with little to no experience with the special needs community, has changed my life in many positive ways. Interacting with a community that is often marginalized by people due to physical appearance or lack of “normal” abilities has taught me to find significance through every human interaction in my life. For me, camp was that new experience that I chose to engage in when I was in high school. It’s amazing that even six years later I continue to have so much love for such a tight knit community that I have found at camp. From being able to interact with unique individuals for three weeks in secluded area, I was able to find purpose in my role to mutual companionship and trust among friends. If there was ever a place where I would consider myself to be completely mindful and present, it would be at camp with some of my best friends.

The integration of spirituality within healthcare focuses on a more holistic approach to treatment, as the primary goal is to obtain the mind-body connection. Therefore, from focusing on the perception of handling life situations in a positive and healthy way, it will serve to be beneficial to your personal long-term health. With the combination of the spirituality found within alternative medicine and the biological advancement found within conventional western medicine, we arrive at the concept of integrative medicine, which may be effective for certain people.

Spirituality not only plays a key role in our personal lives, but also plays a role in the advancement of healthcare worldwide. I encourage everyone to find practices that gives your life purpose. Interested in finding out more about alternative medicine and spiritual practices?

This blog was written by High Sierra AHEC intern, Hubert.

Check out these resources:

https://medium.com/thrive-global/spirituality-a-lifeline-between-mind-and-body-3889d5520473
www.urbanlotusproject.org/
https://www.yogahaven.org/