Families & Spirituality

Can spirituality promote a healthier physical life for your loved ones? Recent medical studies indicate that spiritual individuals exhibit fewer self-destructive behaviors (suicide, smoking, and drug and alcohol abuse, for example), less stress, and a greater total life satisfaction.

Much of the research linking spiritual and physical well-being has involved elderly patients; however, the data offer a glimpse into a possible tie between a spiritual life and good health for individuals of all ages.

Although spirituality has been shown to reduce depression, improve blood pressure, and boost the immune system, religious beliefs should not interfere with the medical care youngsters receive.

So what exactly is spirituality and how can it enhance your loved one’s well-being?

Spirituality and Physical Well-being—

Doctors and scientists once avoided the study of spirituality in connection to medicine, but findings within the past 10 years have made some take a second look. Studies show that religion and faith can help to promote good health and fight disease by:

• improving coping skills through prayer and a philosophy that all things have a purpose
• offering additional social supports, such as religious outreach groups

Although research on youngsters hasn't been done, many studies focusing on adults point to the positive effects of spirituality on medical outcome:

• Elderly individuals who regularly attended religious services had healthier immune systems than those who didn't. They were also more likely to have consistently lower blood pressure.

• In a 7-year study of senior citizens, religious involvement was associated with less physical disability and less depression. Death rates were lower than expected before an important religious holiday, which suggested to researchers that faith might have postponed death in these cases.

• Patients undergoing open-heart surgery who received strength and comfort from their religion were three times more likely to survive than those who had no religious ties.

Spirituality and Mental Well-being—

Religious and spiritual beliefs are an important part of how many individuals deal with life's joys and hardships. Faith can provide individuals with a sense of purpose and guidelines for living.

When family members face tough situations, including health problems, their religious beliefs and practices can help them fight feelings of helplessness, restore meaning and order to life situations, and promote regaining a sense of control. For some family members, spirituality can be a powerful and important source of strength.

Medical studies have confirmed that spirituality can have a profound effect on mental states. In a study of men who were hospitalized, nearly half rated religion as helpful in coping with their illness. A second study showed that the more religious patients were, the more quickly they recovered from some disorders. A third study revealed that high levels of hope and optimism, key factors in fighting depression, were found among those who strictly practiced their religion.

Can Spiritual Beliefs Enhance Parenting?

Attending organized religious services may help some family members connect with their spiritual values, but it's not the only way. Less traditional paths also can help youngsters and parents find spiritual meaning.

To foster spirituality within your own family, you may want to examine your own values. Ask yourself: What is important to me? How well do my daily activities mirror my values? Do I neglect issues that matter to me because I'm busy spending time on things that matter less?

Here are other suggestions to start your family's spiritual journey:

• Examine your involvement in the community. If you're already involved in a group, maybe you will want to take on a larger role — first for you, then as a role model for your youngsters. If you haven't joined a community group, consider investigating those in your area.

• Explore your roots. In examining your shared past, you and your youngsters may connect with values of earlier times and places, and gain a sense of your extended family's history and values.

• Read books that express spiritual ideas with your youngsters and share your thoughts about what you're reading.

• Recall the feelings you had at the birth or adoption of your youngster. Try to get back to that moment in your mind, remembering the hopes and dreams you had. It can be the start of a search for similar or related feelings in your everyday life.

• Share some silence with your youngsters. Take a few minutes for silent meditation alone or together. Think about parenthood, your life as an individual, and your place in the larger scheme of things. Spend time discussing these thoughts with your youngsters and listen to their ideas on what spirituality means.

• Take a nature walk. Nature has long been an inspiration and spiritual guide. A walk will relax you and allow you to contemplate the wonders of the world around you.

This search can be conducted on your own or as part of a larger group — a religious community, friends, or your own loved ones. Making a spiritual journey might help you and your family live a healthier life, both emotionally and physically.

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