To different people, spirituality means different things. Spirituality can include religion and faith, yet spirituality is not always religious. Whether or not they follow a religion, everyone has spiritual needs at some point in their lives. Spiritual requirements may include:
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Depending on what's essential to them, people do different things to meet their spiritual requirements. Some people practice their religion through praying or attending religious services. For others, it may be spending time with friends and family, spending time in nature, or working or engaging in hobbies.
What are spiritual needs?
Being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, such as cancer, is a stressful experience that can affect many parts of a person's life. In the United States and many other countries of the world, cancer is a major public health issue. It is currently the second greatest cause of mortality in the United States, and in the next years, it is predicted to overtake heart disease as the top cause of death.
After cardiovascular and traumatic events, cancer is the third leading cause of mortality in Iran. Furthermore, more than 30,000 Iranians have died as a result of cancer, with more than 80,000 new cases added each year. The spiritual requirements of cancer patients can dramatically grow. Spiritual requirements are now commonly included in holistic health-care assessments, according to policy, research, and practical guidelines for health-care practitioners.
Spirituality and religious components of patients' life must be an intrinsic part of patient management, according to the World Health Organization.
It's tough to assess a patient's spiritual demands. This problem stems in part from the ambiguity and complexity of the idea of spirituality, particularly when it comes to distinguishing between religious concepts and judging spirituality in non-religious persons. Furthermore, due of the diversity of belief systems and religious practices, defining spiritual requirements can be challenging, but definitions are important for a shared conceptual understanding. The “spirit” part of the human situation is addressed by spiritual needs.
Spiritual needs are defined as the desires and expectations that humans have in order to find meaning, purpose, and value in their lives. These desires and expectations can be religious in nature, but even people who have no religious faith or who are not members of an organized religion have belief systems that provide meaning and purpose to their lives.
The spiritual requirements of the patients were divided into many categories. The need to find meaning and purpose in life was the most widely recognized domain. Love, peace, belonging/connection, and forgiveness were all expressed frequently.
In Iran, Zeighamy and Sadeghi investigated the spiritual/religious requirements of teenage cancer patients.
A method of careful sampling was adopted. Six nurses and fourteen cancer-affected teenagers and their families were interviewed. The data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The need for a relationship with God, the need for a relationship with the self, the need for a relationship with others, and the need for a relationship with the environment and nature emerged from the data analysis.
In Brazil, Mansano-Schlosser and Ceolim conducted a cross-sectional descriptive research to assess the quality of life of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. During the months of April and June of 2008, they employed the WHO QoL short instrument. When comparing domain scores, it was discovered that the psychological domain had the greatest scores and the social domain had the lowest.
Health practitioners are obliged to provide care based on the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs and status of patients, and to play an active part in addressing their spiritual needs and encouraging QoL, according to ethical norms in most countries.
As the number of cancer patients in Iran continues to rise, nurses and academics have been working to create nursing interventions that improve patient quality of life. Spiritual requirements of cancer patients and their relationship to QoL have yet to be identified in Iran. Recognizing spiritual needs and quality of life in cancer patients is a critical component of providing spiritual and cultural care; thus, a deeper understanding of the nature of spiritual requirements and quality of life in Iranian patients is required.
The disparity in findings between Islam, Christianity, and secular civilizations emphasizes the necessity for greater research among Muslim populations. Furthermore, research findings on spiritual requirements among cancer patients of various cultures and religions are not transferable to other cultures and faiths, including Iranian-Islamic culture. As a result, the purpose of this study was to look into the link between spiritual demands and QoL in Iranian cancer patients.
Why are spiritual needs important?
Grief, guilt, resentment, unforgiveness, self-rejection, and shame are all terrible wounds that require spiritual resources to heal. To strengthen our experiences of trust, self-esteem, hope, joy, and love of life, we also require spiritual resources.
Why is it important to explore spiritual needs?
It's difficult to tell the difference between spiritual and religious needs. Some patients are spiritual but not religious, while others have spiritual requirements that are religious in nature. Spiritual and religious beliefs are clearly personal and differ widely from person to person. Spiritual needs are most commonly defined as a sense of meaning and purpose in life, and successfully meeting them requires treating the patient as a person rather than a medical condition. The rising quantity of research in health-related literature demonstrates the value of supporting patients' spiritual needs. Positive outcomes appear to be linked to positive feelings of wellbeing.
Nurses are in a unique position to help patients achieve better health outcomes through their contacts with them; this is something nurses excel at – often without even realizing it.
It's crucial to figure out how to assess patients' spiritual requirements and who should be in charge of doing so. Other parts of the healthcare system, such as psychologists, counsellors, and hospital chaplains, should be included in developing ways to address patients' spiritual needs.
- Part 2 of this series, which will be published in next week's edition, provides an overview of spiritual needs assessment and ways to address them in practice.
What are the spiritual needs of a child?
Spirituality is defined as a sense of wholeness and balance, as well as being deliberate in our treatment of the world and ourselves, as well as being engaged in meaningful community with others and filled with awe and respect for the “grand mystery.” Spiritual needs are universal and unavoidable, regardless of faith.
Children have a natural spirituality and are spiritual seekers. The development of spirituality in children is a necessary component of moral growth. According to John Bradford, only when spirituality in all of its forms is cultivated and affirmed will any human being, especially a child or a young person, have a full quality of life.
Children's senses of truth, justice, and mystery may be neglected, leading to them expressing their fears and sorrow in ways that hurt society, such as violence towards others and themselves.
Children who are reared with a robust and well-developed spiritual life are happier, more optimistic, more flourishing, more flexible, and better ready to deal with life's common (and even extraordinary) tragedies, according to a study by Columbia University psychologist Lisa Miller. The findings also show that kids who are in touch with their spiritual sides are significantly better off they are less likely to abuse alcohol and drugs, engage in risky sex, and are better equipped to cope with despair. Spirituality provides a person with something to lean on in times of stress, namely the knowledge that they are not alone. Spiritual stunting can leave a youngster with a brittle sense of self and a lack of resiliency for the rest of their lives. Spiritually imbued children, on the other hand, grow into people who may detect a feeling of calling in their profession, hold human relationships in high respect, and consider disasters as opportunities. Without it, children's self-esteem is based on achievement, they are driven to please others, they feel alone in the world, and they are fatalistic when it comes to failures and losses.
Children's religious education, which includes spiritual writing, provides them with the vocabulary and resources they require to reflect on and explore their spiritual experiences. The primary nurturers of spirituality in their children are their parents or guardians. They must involve children in the creation of family projects and rituals that promote family values and, when repeated, have long-term good effects on the lives of the children.
Parents can utilize life issues and difficulties as spiritual teaching tools to teach their children how to deal with them. Teaching children to respect virtues like compassion, charity, and sacrifice is an important part of spiritual development. Children grow into kind and compassionate individuals when their parents and other adults or caregivers demonstrate authenticity, honesty, trustworthiness, and kindness. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including:
- Demonstrating desired character characteristics in everyday personal acts and discussing their value to youngsters
- In difficult circumstances, lean on your spiritual convictions and let your children know you are there for them.
How can we help spiritually?
Religion brings spirituality to some people, but it does not bring spirituality to others. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to spiritual well-being. Here are a few ideas to get you started if you're not sure where to start.
According to a Gallup poll, 43% of Americans claim to be members of a church or other religious organization. These houses of worship provide a variety of opportunities for those living with mental illnesses to connect with others in their communities.
Reconnect with someone or an organization that shares your ideas and thoughts, whether online, over the phone, or in person. Find ways to connect with like-minded people in your religion community who can support and encourage you by reaching out to a pastor or spiritual leader.
“Many people's support mechanisms were taken away from them during the pandemicchurch, volunteering, support groups,” Wester added. “It was especially difficult for individuals who were already dealing with mental health concerns.” I advise people to reconnect with their religion group as soon as they are physically secure to do so.”
It's fine if you don't have a faith community. Finding a cause that resonates to you and giving back is another way to feel connected to your spirituality and faith. Working in a food pantry, becoming a mentor or tutor, or fostering an animal are all options. As a result, your community will develop and you will be able to meet individuals who share your interests. It will offer you a sense of purpose and thankfulness to serve others.
You don't have to be a yogi to benefit from the practice's spiritual benefits. Yoga is suitable for people of all ages and abilities. It can improve your mind and spirit, as well as strengthen and stretch your body, by lowering stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms.
You don't have to be an expert meditator like you don't have to be an experienced yoga practitioner. Because it takes so little time, meditation is one of the easiest disciplines to keep. “Some people believe you must sit and be silent, but this is not the case,” Wester explained. “You can walk while meditating, paying attention to the sensations of your feet on the ground and the intricacies of your surroundings. Simply slowing down your body can help you calm down your mind.”
Even five minutes of meditation can help you reduce stress, despair, and worry while also increasing your mindfulness. There are numerous fantastic guided meditation applications, such as Calm or Balance, if you need help.
Writing can help you process your emotions, raise your awareness, and provide a nonjudgmental space for you to express your feelings in the present. Start a daily thankfulness notebook with prompts or write down your anxieties and fears.
Spending time in nature, whether you live in the mountains, the desert, or near the ocean, can improve your spiritual health. You can't seem to get away from your phone, your day, and your problems. Even a few minutes spent watching the birds, trees swinging in the breeze, or crashing waves on the shoreline can be relaxing.
Find activities that you enjoy, such as knitting, coloring, cooking, sports, or working out. Focusing on things you enjoy might help you regain a feeling of purpose and stay present in the moment, even if only for a short time.
If you're having trouble connecting with your spiritual side or your mental health, get help from someone who is specially trained or someone you trust.
“Chaplains are specifically equipped to deal with religious issues in a clinical setting,” Wester added. They can assist validate your feelings without sweeping them under the rug. They can help you get back on track spiritually.”
How does spirituality affect your life?
Spirituality is the part of you that helps you discover meaning, purpose, and connection in your life. Spirituality has been linked to better health results in studies. Spirituality appears to assist people in coping with disease, pain, and death. Spirituality has an impact on end-of-life decisions as well.
What spirituality means?
Spirituality is defined as the awareness of a feeling, sense, or belief that there is something more to being human than sensory experience, and that the greater total of which we are a part is cosmic or divine in nature. True spirituality necessitates the opening of one's heart.
What does spiritually healthy mean?
Spiritual health, according to the participants, has three dimensions: religious, individualistic, and materialistic.
This component of spiritual health, according to the participants, involves divine unity-based knowledge, attitude, and practice so that one has a dynamic and active interaction with oneself, others, and nature since God is considered in all connections. “Spiritual health implies moving toward God,” one of the attendees noted in this regard.
1) Believing in the meaning and spirituality of one's connections with others, as well as the absence of spiritual diseases such as despondency and a lack of love, happiness, forgiveness, and common sense experiences. “The lowest level of spiritual health means that an individual is free of spiritual ailments and has accepted spirituality,” one participant explained.
2) Having a sound moral character and moral convictions. In the words of one participant, “A person who enjoys spiritual health does not have poor moral features or incorrect views.”
3) Aspects of human health or existence that cannot be described in terms of physical, mental, or social factors. A meaningful life, transcendence, and actualization of many dimensions and capacities of human beings are all examples of spiritual health. Spiritual health brings the physical, psychological, and social aspects of existence into harmony. The following are some of the participants' perspectives on spiritual health:
“Spiritual health encompasses all aspects of health that are not physical, psychological, or social in nature.”
4) Individuals' feelings about a supreme power, themselves, and others; positive feelings; balance; serenity; vigor and empowerment, hope and satisfaction; and decreased undesirable sensations like melancholy, anxiety, and rage. “I believe that having pleasant feelings about spiritual topics is a crucial indicator of spiritual health,” one of the interviewees said.
This dimension is defined as well-wishing, assisting others without expecting anything in return, a sense of closeness and harmony with the universe, and a morally based human connection with himself, others, and nature. “Spiritual wellness is assisting others without expecting anything in return,” one participant remarked of the individualistic side.
Furthermore, participants claimed that spiritual health takes on diverse meanings depending on one's views and viewpoints. “Spiritual health is as varied as people's opinions,” one participant said, “therefore it's impossible to establish a consistent description for spiritual health.”
The three components of spiritual health, according to our findings, are religious, individualistic, and material world-oriented.
According to our findings, religious components such as a sense of connection with God, love of God, prayer, the feeling that God is effective, and God-oriented knowledge, attitude, and action may be the result of human relationship with God. “The most crucial and essential component of spiritual wellness is communion with God,” one of the participants said.
The human connection with himself is the source of the individualistic component. Self-examination, contemplation of life's meaning, hope, self-actualization, moral qualities, peace, personal responsibility, balance, transcendence, values, mysticism, culture, and knowledge, attitude, and behavior in connection to oneself are examples.
“The second component of spiritual wellness is the humans' relationship with themselves,” one participant said.
This relates to people's interactions with one another and with nature. Connection with others fosters a sense of obligation to others, unconditional love, forgiveness, pacifism, social harmony, and knowledge, attitude, and behavior in respect to others.
Humans develop responsibility, affection, knowledge, attitude, and behavior in respect to nature as a result of their relationship to it.
“One component of spiritual health is that man should develop his relationship with people and with nature,” said one attendee.
The measures of spiritual health, according to our participants, include four categories of the connection between humans and God, themselves, others, and nature.
Knowing God, experiencing affection and love for God, pinning one's hopes on God, being grateful for divine blessings, and praying are all characteristics of a relationship with God. One of the participants' perceptions of God reflected these specifications: “Obeying God's commands is the first and most crucial measure of spiritual health.”
Self-esteem, reasoning and thinking, calmness, personal responsibility, satisfaction, vitality, empowerment, hope, a feeling of purpose, self-worth, and self-awareness are all sources of this form of connection.
“The second sign of spiritual health is reason in personal and societal activities,” one of the interviewees said.
Connection with others, the participants believed, could have a positive impact on an individual's behavior and lead to acceptance of social responsibility, respect for others' rights, honesty, compassion, altruism, generosity, optimism, empathy, benevolence, unconditionally helping others, humility, and a lack of jealousy and grudge.
“Human behaviors, such as a sense of obligation toward others, are signs of spiritual health,” one participant said.
Certain actions were thought to be the result of humans' connection with nature by the participants in the study. Recognizing one's responsibilities in interacting with nature, realizing the value of nature interest, and expressing respect for it are examples.
The opinions of the participants on the distinctions between spiritual health and spirituality can be classified into two groups:
1) The majority of our participants thought spiritual health and spirituality were distinct because: a) spirituality is a state of being, whereas spiritual health is a state of having; b) spirituality is a general concept, whereas spiritual health is a specific concept; c) spirituality is a subjective issue, whereas spiritual health is objective; d) spirituality is a comprehensive issue, whereas spiritual health is a subset of spirituality; e) spirituality is potential, but spiritual health
“If you want to define spiritual health in medical literature, it is completely different from spirituality in the sense of value-judgment,” one participant stated.
2) Some people believe that spiritual health and spirituality are related in some way, and that the former is a manifestation (product) of the latter.
“If we define spirituality as whatever drives humanity to perfection and happiness, then those who are more spiritual will be healthier,” one of the participants said.
Spiritual wellness, according to our participants, comprises six distinct characteristics:
1) It has a variety of definitions.
2) It has an impact on one's physical, emotional, and social well-being.
3) It is chosen over other health-related factors.
4) It can be approached from a religious or existential standpoint.
5) It manifests itself in people's actions.
6) It is a changeable state that can be advanced.
According to some participants, the following statements also embody the aspects of spiritual health:
“Spiritual health can have an impact on other elements of health, such as physical, mental, and social well-being.”
“There are two paths to spiritual health: one is religious, and the other is existential.”
How does Meeting spiritual needs contribute to wellbeing?
Many older individuals value spirituality and religion, and they are powerful indicators of quality of life. They are a component of a person's identity, life story, and present happiness.
Spiritual assistance is a responsibility of aged care services in order to improve quality of life. Some hospitals include established religious input processes and recognize individual spiritual care needs for patients who are dying.
Spiritual and religious involvement can have a favorable impact on one's health and can assist people in coping with a variety of challenges as they age and their health deteriorates. Taking care of people's spiritual and religious needs might help them cope with chronic and fatal illnesses.