Spirituality and Caregiving

“Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion. Practicing spirituality brings a sense of perspective, meaning, and purpose to our lives.” – Brené Brown

Our mind, body and spirit are woven together like a beautiful tapestry. Each of these aspects of our wellbeing is deeply connected to the others. Nourishing one aspect of our wellness can have a positive impact that reaches other aspects of our wellbeing. For example, taking a walk is good for our physical health, and it also has a positive impact on our mental health. Talking with a friend can have a positive impact on our mental health as well as our spiritual health as it nurtures how “we are all inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us,” as explained by Brené Brown. Spiritual wellness is an aspect of our wellbeing that can be difficult to talk about and easy to ignore. Maybe because it feels complicated. It can be hard to put our spirituality into words. What gives our lives meaning? What is our purpose? Regardless of our personal and/or religious beliefs, our spiritual health is important and is very much a part of who we are both as an individual and as a caregiver. Our spiritual health should be acknowledged and celebrated as it can enrich our lives with purpose and meaning. Caring for your spiritual wellbeing will be beneficial for you as well as the one receiving care. It’s another way to practice taking care of yourself, which will allow you to be at your best while caring for your loved one.

Strategies for Nourishing Your Spiritual Health

• Begin your day with prayer. As you begin your day, say a prayer for strength and energy both for yourself and your loved one receiving care.
• Practice mindfulness. Each day, set aside a few minutes to practice mindfulness. This can include many different things—breathing exercises, guided meditation, visualization, sitting in silence—with the purpose of helping you re-center your thoughts and feelings while releasing stress. Learn more about mindfulness here.
• Read inspirational quotes, scriptures or texts. Take 5 minutes today and read something that inspires your soul. If you have a devotional book, start there. If not, search on your computer for key words—caregiver encouragement, caregiver prayer, devotionals for caregivers, encouraging quotes for caregivers—and you’ll find a variety of quotes, poems and other readings to encourage your spirit.
• Listen to music. Playing calm music in your home can help create a peaceful environment for you and your loved one. Incorporating religious music or songs with positive lyrics can lift your spirits throughout the day.
• Reach out to a faith community for connection. Connecting with members of a local faith community can provide meaningful spiritual encouragement. In addition to watching or listening to encouraging messages online, many faith-based organizations have social groups that meet on a regular basis to help nurture community and spiritual growth. If you’re not sure where to start, search online for local faith-based organizations to find one that aligns with your beliefs and then contact the faith community to learn more about available resources and next steps for getting involved.