In a world that never stops spinning, it’s pretty easy to get carried away and overlook the key to our inner peace and happiness: Spiritual health! But here is the thing—our spiritual health and our mental well-being are like two sides of a coin. It is interwoven, or better still, intertwined. Throughout history, spiritual health has played a significant role within the Black community, serving as a source of resilience, empowerment, and social identity. There is no iota of doubt that our mental health is intricately tied to our spiritual well-being. When we neglect our spiritual health, we risk our mental well-being, which will ultimately lead to stress, anxiety, discontent, and other mental challenges.
Spiritual health refers to the well-being and balance of an individual’s inner self-belief, values, and connection to something greater than oneself. As people in the Black community, we tend to disregard our spiritual health, which affects our mental well-being in more ways than we could imagine. It is never too late to address this. There are practical tips that you can inculcate and practice that can transform your life and help you face challenges with resilience and clarity of mind. In this article, I will offer insight into 7 simple practices that can boost your mental health.
Meditation
One of the most important practices to improve your spiritual and mental well-being is meditation. Sometimes, our minds can get really busy, and it’s hard to think clearly. Meditation is a special time we can set aside to calm our minds. It involves stillness of our mind and finding moments of inner peace and serenity in our line of thought and then tapping into inner wisdom. Meditation will help you reduce work stress, depression, anxiety, and pain and improve your perception and general mental well-being. In our busy schedules, it is essential to consciously set time aside for practicing meditation, like arriving at work 30 minutes early and finding a moment of silence in the car, or utilizing the train ride home as an opportunity for mindfulness. During meditation, focus on your breathing and positive imagination. This way, you can create a special space inside your heart and mind where you can feel safe, and relaxed. Try this out, and you will be glad you did!
Mindfulness
When you practice mindfulness, it helps you dwell less on the past and focus more on the present. It doesn’t matter how your past has been, but what’s important is to not get caught up or distracted by the present moment. In definition, mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without being judgmental. This means that mindfulness helps you stay positively inclined with an attitude of openness, curiosity, and, of course, nonjudgment. You will be more aware and in control of your emotions, thoughts, and feelings. Many suicide cases we have heard of could have been prevented if they practice mindfulness. By being mindful, you learn to appreciate the little things in your life, like your little achievements. So the next time you are mentally drained and can’t manage your emotions, try being mindful.
Gratitude
Gratitude is a positive mindset that involves being thankful for the good things in our lives. It can be as simple as being grateful for the good weather or a delicious meal. It’s recognizing the value in something. For example, it could be a gesture, a material item, or a moment in life. Most of the time, it involves acknowledging the role other people play in what you are grateful for. Gratitude helps you shift your mind from what is wrong in your life and focus more on the good part of your life. Overall, practicing gratitude regularly can truly improve your general well-being, increase your happiness, and, of course, strengthen your relationship with other people.
Self-reflection
Practicing self-reflection and journaling helps in personal growth, which allows you to explore your emotions and experiences in a deeper and more meaningful way. You will be able to pause, step back and look inward to self-reflect on your actions and inactions. By practicing this, you will gain a deeper understanding of yourself and become more aware of your strengths, weaknesses, values, and goals.
Journaling
Journaling is a form of self-reflection. It involves documenting our line of thought, feelings, and experiences. This could either be a paper or digital copy. Either way, it provides a safe and private space for self-reflection and self-discovery. When you practice journaling in your daily life, you are more likely to improve your problem-solving and decision-making skills. In addition, you will tend to gain clarity and find emotional release, which is good for your overall mental health.
Ecotherapy
It is true that nature in itself heals. Nature, in its real sense, provides us with a sense of peace, wonder and connection. There are many ways you can connect with nature to achieve mental and spiritual well-being. For example, you can disconnect from technology, go for a hike in the woods, or go on a mountain climb to view the world from a height. In addition, you can also practice grounding which refers to the act of making direct physical contact with the Earth, such as walking barefoot or even lying on the beach sand. These are all practices that can immensely help you disconnect from the stress of your daily life and reconnect you with the beauty and tranquility that nature brings.
Engaging in Meaningful Relationships
This is an essential practice for our mental well-being. It’s important to ensure we forge healthy relationships with people, especially those who matter to us. For example, you should engage in meaningful conversations with your loved ones. Practice active listening, be vulnerable, engage in shared activities, be supportive and, more importantly, practice forgiveness. Meaningful relationship doesn’t work without forgiveness. Sometimes, relationships can encounter differences and challenges. It is important to seek to understand the perspective of others and communicate openly to achieve positive mental health status.
Be Compassionate and Supportive
Being compassionate and supportive are important factors for mental well-being. It involves you showing that you truly care. You should be more understanding and offer encouragement to people who need it. When you are compassionate, you’re putting yourself in the person’s shoes. It makes you reflect on how lucky you are to be you. It makes you more human, and that’s a good thing, as you will want to help and support in any way you can. When you do, you will experience a positive emotional release because you have helped in the little way you can.
The importance of spiritual health and mental well-being in our Black heritage cannot be overemphasized. Spiritual health is inherent in our Black heritage, enabling us to cultivate its core attributes: compassion, gratitude, and appreciation. By tapping into our ancestral wisdom, we can reconnect with our roots that truly nourish our souls.
Implementing these practical ways in your everyday life, will help you start to experience a paradigm shift in your view of life, and you can then start on a road of self-discovery and lasting happiness.
In addition to practicing spirituality, we highly recommend seeking professional help. You can consult with a mental health practitioner who will be able to provide you with personalized treatment plans that incorporate both spirituality and therapies.
Further Reading:
https://www.webmd.com/balance/how-spirituality-affects-mental-health
https://www.sharp.com/health-news/how-spirituality-can-benefit-your-mental-health
