If you’re into wellness, you’ve probably already brushed up on great nutrition and exercise practices. But you might not automatically think of spirituality when the topic of wellness comes up.
Here at the IAWP, we believe that wellness is a philosophy that encompasses all parts of our lives. We think that a holistic approach to wellness is the one that will get the best and most sustainable results and changes in our lives.
We call this concept the Wellness 360 wheel and it includes various elements that are crucial for wellness and wellbeing.
One of those very important elements is Spirituality.
Importance of the Spirituality Element
You might immediately understand why we include Spirituality in our Wellness 360 wheel, but also feel worried about what this means when it comes to talking to others about it. Spirituality is a delicate subject and you might feel resistance to talking about it with others, especially as a Wellness Coach. But spirituality is one of the core foundations of wellness, so let’s push through and take a closer look.
Every part of our being affects how we feel, the choices we make, and how we move through the world. Spirituality might be one of the biggest parts of that, which means it’s crucial to consider in your wellness practice.
Since we are not just a physical body that operates like a machine, we also have an internal world that is rich and vast. While that internal world might be sometimes elusive, it’s still there are present. It deeply affects how we feel connected to ourselves and the world around us.
It’s also our connection to something greater than ourselves and it’s how we give our lives meaning. This helps to drive our purpose, passions, and mission in life.
Understanding the Spirituality Element
Our physical bodies are the most obvious aspects of ourselves, but they’re not all of who we are. We also have an energetic body or spiritual layer to ourselves that connects to our physical body and impacts our wellbeing. This doesn’t refer to specific religions or personal beliefs, but it is drawing a connection between our physical health and the spiritual aspects of us that exist.
Each of us has a unique way of expressing spirituality and engaging in spiritual practices. This includes the way we energetically interact with the world, the religious or spiritual teachings that guide our views, and the self-care rituals that we use to feel more grounded in spirit.
In holistic wellness, we include discussions on spiritual traditions such as the Chakra system and prana or chi. These systems teach us that we have an energy body and offers instruction on how to keep it healthy. Working with chakras is just one way to connect with your inner world.
There are a variety of spiritual practices that you can incorporate into your life in order to support your wellness. These include practices like meditation, visualization, prayer, and so many other beautiful and healing spiritual practices.
IAWP Student Feature
IAWP Certified Wellness Coach Kate Schenk founded Wild Women Wellness where she supports her coaching clients to go from feeling like they are always keeping up with their to-do list to creating more health and happiness. Kate recommends practicing meditation and mindfulness.
“This can even be a simple act of taking a peaceful walk out in nature and taking deep breaths along the way,” she says. Kate has gone on to write a book entitled “Supporting Yourself” where she shares more of her personal tools for overcoming inner struggles.
Balancing Your Spirituality Element
It might feel tricky to get started with balancing your Spirituality element, especially if you don’t have a religion or prescribed set of beliefs and rituals. But it’s as simple as making a little time every day for practices that make you feel great. Over time, you’ll find your practices evolving and growing into something that is uniquely perfect for you.
Here are a few tips for getting started with discovering the way that spirituality works best for you.
1. Get connected to something bigger.
Spirituality represent connection and belonging. To be spiritual is to be grounded, clear, and expansive. Get reconnected with your inner world to find out what your intuition is trying to tell you. Let your own inner guide help you find the right spiritual practices for you.
Discover if you feel connected to something greater than you. What does that feel like and how do you conceptualize that feeling? Listen to your soul and take steps to follow its wisdom. Find the practices that resonate most deeply with you and incorporate them into your life.
2. Carve out time for spiritual practice.
In our modern world, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush of life. You might sometimes feel like you hardly have time for breathing. Commit to slowing down and finding more space in your life.
Spirituality grows when you dedicate regular time for it. You don’t need to have an elaborate practice, but it is important to prioritize your commitment to it. Feeling empty inside can lead to lots of health and wellness issues, so spirituality is crucial to work on.
3. Experiment with different spiritual practices.
Stay open to all the ways that you can be spiritual and grow your spirituality. If one thing doesn’t work for you, keep moving instead of giving up. There’s something out there that’s perfect for you. Be respectful of what works for other people and be respectful of your own process.
You might have to combine several things until you find the perfect blend that works for you. Keep your mind and spirit open, then always check in to find out how something feels for you.
4. Do a Wellness 360 check.
Since all aspects of our lives impact each other, there could be other things that are unbalanced. Take a deep inventory of the aspects of wellness you really need to work on. Is there an element in that list that could be impacting your spirituality?
Perhaps your Relationship element isn’t balanced, causing you to feel resentful and overburdened by others’ needs. That could cause you to have far more on your to-do list than is really necessary. By putting into place better boundaries, you could free up mental, emotional, and physical space. This would allow you to now spend more time caring for your Spirituality element.
Support for Others
It can be tricky to discuss spirituality with clients, but as a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach, you’ll have opportunities to explain how it impacts health. If wellness is your passion, you’ll find a way to balance this element in your own life and perhaps help others to do so as well.
If becoming a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach sounds like the right career move for you, the IAWP offers an accredited certification program with unique systems and support for students for life. Contact an admissions advisor to find out if this is the right program to help you start a new career today!
