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Spirituality

What do we mean by spirituality?

Spirituality is a connection with something bigger than yourself. It often involves the formation of personal values and the search for meaning in life. Religious beliefs are a common but special case of spirituality where the connection to something bigger (e.g., God) is supported by religious doctrine. Other forms of spirituality may be more personal in nature or involve other forms of readings or social communion. The realm of spirituality pertains to the spirit or soul as distinguished from the realm of physical objects.

Value commitments are connected to one’s cultural beliefs and attitudes. Personal spirituality and life experiences influence one’s choices about daily living and connections to others. Spiritual beliefs also influence perceptions of pain and pain’s impact on our lives. Spirituality is a key determinant of a person’s thinking, feeling, and acting in relation to coping with pain.

How can spirituality help with chronic pain?

Using spirituality in your journey with pain

Tips for success

How can spirituality help with chronic pain?

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There are many ways that spirituality can benefit you in coping with pain. For example, your spirituality can help give you:

  • Meaning and purpose despite your symptoms
  • The ability to accept your lack of control over pain flares, the severity of your symptoms, and the impact of your symptoms on your day-to-day life
  • The strength to manage your stress and take life one day at a time
  • The self-worth and self-esteem you need to accomplish your goals
  • A way to manage your symptoms in combination with other treatments and clinical visits
  • Hope in recovery, whether physical recovery or otherwise
  • The resilience you need to cope with your diagnosis and the challenges it brings to your daily life
  • A way to focus on the positive things in life
  • A sense of community with other people who share your faith
  • A connection with nature and the earth
  • A connection with something bigger than yourself and beyond the physical world
  • Access to other resources, like transportation, social support, or food donations through your religious community
  • Something to look forward to in the afterlife
  • It is possible that feelings of guilt or frustration can accompany one's spirituality when managing pain symptoms. Seeking additional guidance from a spiritual leader or mentor may be helpful. See Reframing and Resilience for more tips.

Using spirituality in your journey with pain

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  • Practice prayer and meditation.
  • Explore different types of spirituality.
  • Find a community that you can use as support.
  • Attending religious gatherings.
  • Reading spiritual texts, religious or non-religious.
  • Use prayerful meditation to reframe your thoughts.
  • Consider trying yoga or Tai Chi. See Yoga and Tai Chi for more information.
  • Be mindful of where you are in the process of dealing with pain.
  • Focus thoughts on something greater than your symptoms, like your purpose and desires in life.
  • Consider the deeper meaning of life and your connection to it.
  • Try to acknowledge the things in your life that are positive.
  • Participate in activities that bring you joy.

Tips for success

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  • Understand that spirituality is a journey and things may not change overnight.
  • Ask yourself questions about who you are and how you connect to something bigger.
  • Try some of the above ways to incorporate spirituality into your journey and try something different if one doesn’t work for you.
  • Combine spirituality with other self-management strategies. You can use strategies in Relaxation and Mindfulness to improve prayerful meditation skills, for example.
  • Dedicate time to incorporating spirituality into your life.