Spiritual wellness is the ability to seek self-awareness, find meaning in something larger than yourself, and respect and forgive others.

Spiritual Wellness is a personal matter involving values and beliefs that provide a purpose in our lives. While different individuals may have different views of what spiritualism is, it is generally considered to be the search for meaning and purpose in human existence, leading one to strive for a state of harmony with oneself and others while working to balance inner needs with the rest of the world. The National Wellness Institute says spiritual wellness follows the following tenets:

• It is better to ponder the meaning of life for ourselves and to be tolerant of the beliefs of others than to close our minds and become intolerant
• It is better to live each day in a way that is consistent with our values and beliefs than to do otherwise and feel untrue to ourselves

Signs of Spiritual Wellness

• development of a purpose in life
• feeling there is a reason to wake up in the morning
• finding a career you enjoy
• the ability to spend reflective time alone
• having a clear sense of right and wrong and acting accordingly
• caring and acting for the welfare of others and the environment
• taking time to reflect on the meaning of events in life
• being able to practice forgiveness and compassion

Ways to Improve Spiritual Health

• Be open to inspiration
• Cherish your optimism and hope
• Be open to not knowing
• Identify what is meaningful to you and notice its place in your life
• Meditate/pray
• Sing
• Have experiences of awe (perhaps with nature)
• Read, listen to or watch inspirational literature, quotes, music, videos, etc.
• Find a spiritual connection or community
• Choose work that aligns with your values
• Reflect and act intentionally

Are you engaged in the process of spiritual wellness?

Evaluate your own spiritual wellness with this brief quiz.

• Do I make time for relaxation in my day?
• Do I make time for meditation and/or prayer?
• Do my values guide my decisions and actions?
• Am I accepting of the views of others?

If you answered “No” to any of the questions, it may indicate an area where you need to improve the state of your spiritual wellness.

The Path To Spiritual Wellness

• It is important for everyone to explore what they believe is their own sense of meaning and purpose
• The path to spiritual wellness may involve meditation, prayer, affirmations, or specific spiritual practices that support your connection to a higher power or belief system. Yoga and meditation can also help you develop spiritual wellness
• Having compassion, the capacity for love and forgiveness, altruism, joy, and fulfillment help you enjoy your spiritual health. Your religious faith, values, beliefs, principles, and morals define your spirituality
• If you are a person engaged in the process of spiritual wellness, you are willing and able to transcend yourself in order to question the meaning and purpose in your life and the lives of others. In addition, you seek to find harmony between that which lies within and the social and physical forces that come from outside

Berea Fast Facts:

• click here for resources related to achieving optimal spiritual wellness
• There is a weekly Chapel service at Noon on Tuesdays followed by a light lunch
• There are many religious denominations and groups represented off campus in the City of Berea
• There are clubs for many different spiritual beliefs including the secular student association, Baptist Campus Ministry, and others
• The Campus Christian Center offers many opportunities for worship, prayer, devotional study of Christian scripture and interfaith conversations
• Each of the residence halls has a student Chaplain whose job is to listen to you
• Religion is only one part of spirituality, many recharge and find meaning in nature. The Pinnacles is a great place to walk and reflect, as is the Fee glade on campus