Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

You are here: Home / Family and Relationships / 7 Dimensions of Wellness: Spiritual Wellness

7 Dimensions of Wellness: Spiritual Wellness

7 Dimensions of Wellness: Spiritual Wellness

This year’s Connection Café Fall series is happy to present the 7 Dimensions of Wellness. The idea of wellness should not be limited to one idea, and that is why this series is covering the “Lifestyle Redesign” model, (Cassidy, et al, 2017). To learn about all the different areas, please register for sessions at go.osu.edu/ConnecttoWellness for Friday morning talks, and watch for more blogs.

Spiritual wellness might be one of the more commonly practiced types of wellness. This is because spiritual wellness does not mean following a specific religion or being spiritual, but the concept of mindfulness also falls under this category. Brown, et al, (2019), defines spiritual wellness as:

“Personal beliefs and values, having meaning and purpose, developing a sense of balance and peace.”

The idea behind improving spiritual wellness is helping you to identify a ‘purpose or driving force in life’. Luckily for us there are four practices in which a person can improve upon this dimension no matter what their beliefs are.

  1. Formal Religious- This might be the first thing someone would consider under spiritual wellness. Communing with others in religious practices, praying, meditating, and the studying of religious materials falls into this spiritual practice.
  2. Social Participation- Stepping outside of the realm of formal religion, social participation refers to building and maintaining relationships with people who help you grow and foster spiritual development.
  3. Nature-Based- Easy to understand, this practice style can be achieved by enjoying activities out in nature. This could be hiking, swimming, or spending time appreciating the outdoors with friends and family. You can also incorporate mindfulness by taking hikes and practice being present, noticing what is in your surroundings. https://healingforest.org/2017/07/03/10-natureconnectionactivities
  4. Mindfulness and Reflective- The concept of mindfulness is becoming more and more popular. Mindfulness practices include activities such as meditation, yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing.

So how do we improve upon the spiritual wellness in our lives? Ask your self if you feel your spiritual needs are being met, and then set goals. Creating time for activities will help to increase your quality of life and decrease your stress. Many mindful and spiritual techniques only require a few minutes out of your day to practice. Remember to keep your wellness goals SMART; specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. If you still feel that you may need help identifying ways to incorporate the four different types of spiritual wellness, here are a few resources and examples:

WRITTEN BY: Casey Bishop, OSU Extension, Paulding County, Family and Consumer Sciences

REVIEWED BY: Kathryn Tutt, OSU Extension, Clark County, Family and Consumer Sciences & Area Leader

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Signature Photo Gallery; University Marketing (August 31st, 2021). Yoga [photography]. https://universitymarketing.osu.edu/photo-gallery/gallery/?galAlbum=27

REFERENCES:

  • American Occupational Therapy Association. (2014). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process. (3rd ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, S1–S48. doi.:10.5014/ajot.2014.682006
  • Brown, C., Stoffel, V. C., & Munoz, J. P., (2019). Occupational therapy in mental health: A vision for participation. F. A. Davis Company.
  • Cassidy, T. B., Richards, L. G., & Eakman, A. M. (2017). Feasibility of a Lifestyle Redesign®–Inspired Intervention for Well Older Adults. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(4), 7104190050p1-7104190050p6. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2017.024430
  • Clark, F. A., Blanchard, J., Sleight, A., Cogan, A., Florindez, L., Gleason, S., Heymann, R., Hill, V., Holden, A., Murphy, M., Proffitt, R., Schepens Niemiec, S., Vigen, C. (2015). Lifestyle redesign: The intervention tested in the USC well elderly studies. Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press, The American Occupational Therapy Association.
  • Howard, B. S., & Howard, J. R. (1997). Occupation as Spiritual Activity. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 51(3), 181–185. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.51.3.181
  • Jackson, J., Carlson, M., Mandel, D., Zemke, R., & Clark, F. (1998). Occupation in Lifestyle Redesign: The Well Elderly Study Occupational Therapy Program. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 52(5), 326–336. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.52.5.326
  • Lee, K. H., Besthorn, F. H., Bolin, B. L., & Jun, J. S. (2012). Stress, Spiritual, and Support Coping, and Psychological Well-Being Among Older Adults in Assisted Living. Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 31(4), 328–347. https://doi.org/10.1080/15426432.2012.716287

Avatar for Casey Bishop

Footer

Need Assistance?

If you are having issues logging into the site, need assistance with updates, or need to request an alternate format please send an email to the EHE Service Desk at servicedesk@ehe.osu.edu stating the nature of your issue and we will assist you. Thank you.
Are you a Live Smart Ohio Author? Log in here!

Follow us!