I have always been an incredibly spiritual person. I think it’s one of the many perks of being wired as highly sensitive. I experience the world in greater detail, sensing what others cannot. When I allow myself to follow that sensing with curiosity and action, it is eventually validated as true.
Raised Lutheran, it was ingrained in me to pray daily. Our pastor gave us permission to talk to God whenever. I also have a vivid memory of seeing my dead great aunt in our living room and sensing her calm, loving nature when I needed it most. My reiki training kicked all of this up a notch with regular meditations and spiritual practices of check-in and self-care. I didn’t know it then, but this ragtag mix served as a nervous system regulator and provider of clarity in one of the most toxic times of my career and continues to serve me as an entrepreneur.
These practices that provided a boost to my resilience and ensured I acted in my integrity have recently been proveBy science to do just that. Dr. Lisa Miller from Columbia conducted a study that showcased that “humans are universally equipped with a capacity for spirituality, and that our brains become more resilient and robust as a result of it.”
Combine this knowledge with the jaw dropping statistics on the prevalence of mental-health issues and depression in executives, teens, and our country as a whole it seems like all of us could use a minute a day to anchor into a practice that connects us to something bigger than us.
In our fast-paced world that seems to force us to be more and more disconnected with ourselves, the best way to find our center is through these very practices many can’t seem to carve out the time for.
I don’t think we have a choice anymore. When anxiety swirls, when we can’t see straight to make a clear decision, and our body is tense and we can’t seem to move in any direction our nervous system needs just a moment to reset and to regulate.
Spiritual practices are deeply unique and should also be adapted over time as to what serves us best in each moment. Allowing yourself to feel a sense of calm and peace through a brief meditation, prayer, awe-inducing walk in the woods, snuggling with a pet, or even just a brief check-in with your body will empower your day-to-day, business decisions, and long-term health and wellness.
What are your favorite spiritual practices to recenter and empower you to be your best in spite of outer chaos? Not sure where to begin? I have lots of wonderful practices to recommend. nicole@eloiandstella.com
