I love diversity and appreciate diverse world views, religious and spiritual beliefs. Spiritual wellness includes those as well as your purpose – your big WHY that you have in your life. Should you not be certain of your purpose, it is good time to start figuring it out. What is your big why?
Definition of spiritual wellness by Emily Smith is: “being connected to something greater than yourself and having a set of values, principles, morals and beliefs that provide a sense of purpose and meaning to life and using those principles to guide your actions”.
Nature of Spiritual Wellness
The nature of spiritual wellness includes the following aspects:
- Lifelong process
- Often fluctuates, you experience highs and lows
- Involves both positive and negative emotions
- Makes our decisions easier
- Grounds us in change
- Gives us resilience
Ideas for boosting your spiritual wellness include the following:
- Build self-awareness e.g. by journaling
- Pray, practise your religion
- Spend quiet time
- Practise meditation or yoga
- Spend time in nature
- Appreciate music and the arts, beauty in general
Figure Out Your Purpose
Having purpose in life is extremely important for your wellness. It is said that living without purpose is life threatening! Should you not be sure about your purpose look into the following tips.
Two top tips to figure out your big WHY are: 1) Answer the question “What impact do you want to make?” and 2) Trust your gut feeling or intuition and notice “What do you love to do? What energises you?”
Re-evaluating Your Purpose?
It is common to re-evaluate your purpose every now and then and especially in midlife. Do you recognise yourself in the some of the following:
- Feeling stuck or bored in your profession. Perhaps it is no more meaningful to you.
- Big part of your life purpose were your children but they are now growing up / grownups and hence your role and relationship is changing.
- You have been living according to someone else’s values and principles instead of your own.
- You have realised that your current lifestyle does not serve your health and wellness anymore.
Could you put some time a side to reflect this area of your life? This current time “in-between” gives a perfect opportunity for that. Living on purpose, making on impact is essential part of your health and wellness. Start with one small step forward such as daily journaling to increase your self-awareness.
Midlife does not need to mean decline but rather a creative transition for “a second act” or “a next chapter” in life.
Should you be in cross-roads and interested in investing in your personal growth and wellbeing, finding more purpose in life, coaching might be something that you enjoy.
Pauliina Mapatha has twenty years of experience in both the government and non-profit sectors and is a certified life coach. She established her own consultancy company in 2006 and has found her passion for supporting individuals and organisations with change, transformation and wellness.
To contact coach Pauliina click here.
