With over 75% of Americans self-identifying as religious in some sense, it should come as no surprise that it is of interest to researchers how spirituality affects various aspects of life. One particularly stressful aspect of life comes as we age. While retirement brings plenty of freedom, it can also bring alongside plenty of stress and challenges to overcome. But what makes the difference between people who adapt well to these challenges and those who don’t? According to theconversation.com, here are three of the top ways that spirituality makes a difference in the view of healthy aging.
- Spirituality provides a bigger picture. Part of the wisdom that comes with age is the ability to see beyond the current circumstances to a bigger, grander picture. This is only increased when one adds in their personally held beliefs. Suddenly something that seemed disastrous in the moment may not seem so terrible anymore.
- Spirituality provides a sense of purpose. Viktor Frankl was an Austrian-Jewish psychiatrist who spent three years imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, during which time he took the opportunity to experience and refine some of his ideas relating to his professional field. He stressed the importance of having a purpose in life during troubling times. In many cases, spirituality goes hand in hand with a sense of purpose.
- Spirituality provides a sense of belonging. Those who are spiritual oftentimes feel as if they are part of a bigger community. Similar beliefs and thoughts are a strong bond between people, and a sense of belonging is an important aspect of happiness.
All in all, spirituality in any sense can be beneficial to your health and happiness especially during some of the stressful changes that may arise during retirement years. At Tealridge Retirement Community, we want to help you improve your overall retirement living in either our Independent Living, Assisted Living or Memory Care options. Tour our beautiful community to get a sense of what life is like here! Contact us here.
