Four Life-Changing Routines - Spiritual Routine

In previous articles we reviewed the first two of four life-changing routines, a daily physical fitness routine, and a mental wellness routine. This is a continuation of those four life-changing routines. Here we'll review the benefits and elements of a spiritual routine. 

A spiritual routine gives us permission to let go. Surrendering to a higher power, even just for a few minutes every day, can have a profound impact. I’ve seen timid people fill up with confidence. I’ve seen hardened warriors break down in tears. Surrendering is the first step toward humility. And with humility comes liberation, being set free from the weight of everything we are carrying but have no control over. It's the beginning of understanding our place in the world. 

Your routine could be time in prayer, meditating on a scriptural passage, or simply sitting on a park bench, listening to the birds or the wind, and maybe saying a quiet word of thanksgiving. 

Spiritual routines have many benefits. Here are a few: 

• Spiritual routines ground us and give us a fresh and proper perspective to each day and every situation
• People with spiritual routines often have enhanced mental and emotional health because they are actively participating in things that promote overall well-being
• Practicing spirituality can provide a sense of purpose, connection, and inner peace
• Generally, spiritual routines promote better health outcomes and recovery rates, lower stress, improved immune function, and longer life expectancy

Spiritual people are often more open to self-reflection and personal development.

I feel most spiritual when I’m out in nature. Most faiths draw a connection between nature and the Creator, asserting that what inspires awe, such as all the wonders of nature, most assuredly demonstrates the hand of the Creator. And many theologians make the case that caring for the environment is an act of spirituality, that protecting nature reflects a commitment to belief in a higher power. 

Aside from any theological matters, feeling spiritual in nature might be because when we're out hiking we are focused on very fundamental matters, like staying safe, getting enough food and water, setting up a shelter, or building a camp fire to get warm or dry. These type of activities remind us of what is most important and essential in life. 

Elder Care Alliance has a great piece on all this. 

Having a spiritual routine is not about joining a religion or making a commitment to a particular belief system. It's about coming to terms with our place in the universe and finding a perspective that allows us to grow and learn. 

Stay tuned for the last of the four articles in this series: Dietary Routine.