Focus On

Cultivating Your Spiritual Health

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Learning Objectives

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Define spirituality, describe its three facets, and distinguish between religion and spirituality.
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Describe the evidence that spiritual health has physical benefits, has psychological benefits, and
lowers stress.
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Describe three ways you can develop your spiritual health.

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WHY SHOULD I CARE?

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Spirituality refers to looking for well-being in one’s life, particularly regarding relationships,
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values, and purpose. In practice, spirituality can provide physical and psychological benefits to

individuals (such as decreasing blood pressure and reducing stress and anxiety) and can also help
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communities become stronger and more connected, all important factors for healthy students and
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a healthy campus. Spiritual practices such as meditation can improve concentration and your

brain’s ability to process information; it can also reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, all
important factors when trying to manage your classes and handle daily demands.