Written by Ingrid Landwehr.

Self-care & healing, Spirituality

Being spiritual is much more than simply having a clear mind, as your body’s state affects your spiritual connection. You’ll find it much harder to focus and reflect on your spiritual wellness when you're in bad health. Given this, it’s vital to nourish your physical body. This is more important than ever before as the physical health of Americans is declining, with studies showing that the average life expectancy is down 2.8 years from its peak. This regression is not only leading to a physical decline but also a spiritual one.

If you are seeking a better spiritual connection with yourself, you need to nourish your physical body. Here are a few ways to start.

Eat more mindfully

The importance of your diet in relation to your physical body cannot be understated. Unfortunately, many in America are following a poor diet, with studies showing that diet-related deaths now outrank smoking related-deaths. As we previously noted, more people need to look to their diet to protect their physical body, and this means being more mindful of what you consume.

The good news is that changing your diet is one of the easiest steps to take, especially if you follow a dedicated weight loss plan. A weight loss plan allows you to track your food, making you much more aware of what you are putting into your body. This lets you see how much healthy food you are consuming versus unhealthy food and allows you to readdress the balance. Modern weight loss plans are also very customizable and can be adapted to your dietary needs and preferences. Another way to achieve mindful eating is by chewing slowly. This will give your body time to properly digest the food as well as reduce the amount of food you consume. You should also eat without distractions—such as your phone—so you’re more aware of what you consume. By focusing completely on your food you will develop a much deeper spiritual connection with what you are eating.

Exercise regularly

Exercising gets rid of tension and boosts endorphins for a better mood. It removes physical manifestations of negativity, allowing you to enter a better physical state for a spiritual connection.

A regular exercise routine consists of 150 minutes of activity weekly. You can divide this into 30 minutes of physical activity for 5 days so as not to overexert yourself. Some mindful exercises you can do are yoga and walking. Yoga is deeply rooted in spirituality, as the different moves and poses help you stay fit and connect with your spirit. Meanwhile, walking is a great way to combine self-reflection with exercise. This exercise requires minimal effort so that you can accomplish physical wellness and spiritual connection simultaneously.

Practice mindful breathing

Breathing is an everyday activity—a reflex, even—so you might not think it’s nourishing for your body. However, the benefits of mindful breathing beg to differ. It reduces anxiety, provides pain relief, and decreases negative thinking. With these techniques, you will increase your awareness of yourself and your surroundings.

Begin mindful breathing by sitting or lying down in a comfortable position. Then, take notice of your breathing. Breathe in and out, and focus on how each breath feels. Pause in between inhales and exhales, and think of which parts of your body feel your breath the most. Notice how your other body parts react to your breathing. Finally, allow your mind to wander during this activity. It’s completely normal, and you can think about your spiritual well-being in the process.

Spend more time in nature

Nature lets your body destress. Immersion in nature benefits your physical health by lowering blood pressure, decreasing stress levels, and reducing anxiety. This is because the outdoors—specifically, green spaces—lowers cortisol and boosts endorphins and dopamine. As such, you’ll feel better about yourself and think more clearly regarding your spirituality after spending time in nature. Go for a walk in the park, take a hike, or camp for a night. Whatever activity you choose, ensure that you take in the natural surroundings to help your body get into a more relaxed and healthy state.

Contributed post written by Ingrid Landwehr. Ingrid is a freelance writer with a passion for topics surrounding health, wellness, and spirituality. In her spare time, you'll find her doing yoga under the sun or tending to her mini herb garden.

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