Spirituality is a broad term that can mean many things to many different people. For some it means religion, being religious and following the laws and traditions of their religion. For others, it is a feeling that you have that comes from a connection to God. For still others it is a feeling that you are part of something bigger, that the Universe is more than just material things and that the world is more than just one big place.
Spiritual Meanings
Often people will interpret spirituality in terms of what it is that they believe in, what it means to them and what it can do for them. Some examples of spiritual beliefs may be that life is a journey, that there is a higher power or God that guides us through the good and bad times, that we are all connected and that we should work together to improve the world and make it better for everyone.
Some people also find spirituality to be a way of dealing with pain and suffering. It can be a way of coping with illness, surgery, or death by using prayers and other religious practices to help them through their struggles.
Some studies have shown that spiritual beliefs can enhance recovery from disease and surgery. For example, patients with advanced cancer who used religious and spiritual beliefs as a way to cope with their illness, surgery or death had more positive quality of life outcomes than those who didn’t. They also complied better with follow-up treatment, had better physical functioning at the 12-month follow-up visit and were less likely to experience anxiety and depression.