Spiritual Wellness

While this section is focused on spiritual wellness, we encourage you to approach your global experience holistically--or  whole-istically.  Ideally your takeaways from the experience will impact all of the dimensions of wellness in some way.  
 
Spiritual Health is more than a connection to a religious organization or a specific deity. Spiritual health encompasses various facets and can affect different dimensions of your health. The practice of spirituality is to produce a meaningful connection to life. To look deep within yourself and discover your sense of self both physically and emotionally. In a search for substance and reason many are driven to find a sense of harmony leading to stability throughout various aspects of a person’s life. It is used as a healthy coping mechanism for the everyday uncertainties in life. Many can practice spiritual health through practicing yoga, joining an organized religion, or ending their day to jot down the things they are grateful for. The practice of spirituality and focus on spiritual health does not have one specific look or way of practice but rather the focus is to maintain balance and purpose in everyday life resulting in resiliency.

 

Spiritual Wellness Tips

  • Find a personal sanctuary; a place that makes you feel calm and relaxed so that you may have time to reflect about your day and/or week.
  • Find a mindfulness exercise that works best for you for situations in where you feel taxed physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritully. 
  • Journal your emotions and/or experiences to reflect on your spiritual growth.
  • Surround yourself with items that bring joy, peace, and tranquility in your living area.
  • Research local centers for spirituality whether it be meditation groups, yoga studios, or religious centers.

 

What is spiritual wellness?

While this section is focused on spiritual wellness, we encourage you to approach your global experience holistically--or  whole-istically. Ideally your takeaways from the experience will impact all of the dimensions of wellness in some way.  
 
The practice of spirituality is to produce a meaningful connection to life. To look deep within yourself and discover your sense of self both physically and emotionally. In a search for substance and reason many are driven to find a sense of harmony leading to stability throughout various aspects of a person’s life. It is used as a healthy coping mechanism for the everyday uncertainties in life. Before departing for your program finding a spiritual practice can help with the process. Finding and practicing something that speaks to your well being such as yoga, joining an organized religion, or ending your day by jotting down the things you are grateful for are some ways you can develop your spiritual wellness before your departure. The practice of spirituality and focus on spiritual health does not have one specific look or way of practice but rather the focus is to maintain balance and purpose in everyday life resulting in resiliency.
 

Resources

Stress Free Zone * - Resources from Pitt where students can find guided meditations workshops, private space for meditation/yoga, massage chairs, and day light lamp therapy.

Office of Interfaith Dialogue and Engagement* - Pitt's Engagement in interfaith dialougue through a variety of activities, workshops, events, and initatives that enchance personal spiritual identity and communal connections.

Office of Diversity and Inclusion Independent Student Religious Groups* -  Individual student run organizations open to any student at Pitt.

Apps

HeadSpace - Guide for mindful meditation to help with anxiety, stress, and sleep. Available for Androids and iOS.

Smiling Mind - Created by a non-profit organization to help with daily practices of meditation for various facets of life. Available for Androids and iOS.

Articles and Blogs

22 Mindful Excercises, Techniques and Activities for Adults - The Positive Psychology blog gives examples of excercises and techniques to help calm the mind and spirit during testing times.

16 Tips to Build Your Spiritual Practice  - Postive Psychology's tips on how to start and maintain a spiritual practuce.

Videos, Vlogs, and Podcasts

The Daily Shine - Helping stress and anxiety through different forms of selfcare such as meditation and daily intentions. (varies)

On Being with Krista Tippett - Tackles questions we all begin to ask on our spiritual journeys, from meditiation to yoga to food and health. (varies)

What is the Point of Spirituality? - From The School of Life this video gives a brief but detailed explaination of spiritual health and how it affect different parts of your life. (8mins)

 

While this section is focused on spiritual wellness, we encourage you to approach your global experience holistically--or  whole-istically. Ideally your takeaways from the experience will impact  all  of  the dimensions of wellness in some way.  
 
Spiritual health encompasses various facets and can affect different dimensions of your health. The practice of spirituality is to produce a meaningful connection to life and to ground yourself in a new atmosphere. Global experiences, just like spiritual health, takes a look deep within yourself to discover your sense of self both physically and emotionally. In a search for substance and reason many are driven to find a sense of harmony leading to stability throughout various aspects. Spirtual practices can be used as a healthy coping mechanism for the everyday uncertainties in life, espcially while living in a new enviornment. You can practice spiritual health through the practice of yoga, joining an organized religion, or ending your day to jot down the things you are grateful for. The practice of spirituality and focus on spiritual health does not have one specific look or way of practice but rather the focus is to maintain balance and purpose in everyday life resulting in resiliency.
 
 

Resources

Ways to Improve Spiritual Wellness - The University of Illinois' helpful tips on how to incorporate spiritual wellness into your everyday life.

Resources for Spiritual Journeys - Online resource Spirituality & Practice has developed a website to help you delve into the practice of spiritual wellness on a variety of different mediums. 

Apps

HeadSpace - Guide for mindful meditation to help with anxiety, stress, and sleep. Available for Androids and iOS.

Smiling Mind - Created by a non-profit organization to help with daily practices of meditation for various facets of life. Available for Androids and iOS.

ThinkUp - A daily affirmation app where you can record your own affirmations or follow along with a prompt. Available for Andorids and iOS.

Articles and Blogs

22 Mindful Excercises, Techniques and Activities for Adults - The Positive Psychology blog gives examples of excercises and techniques to help calm the mind and spirit during testing times.

Benefits of a Gradtitude Journal and How to Maintain One - Huffington Post demonstrates how to start and maintain a graditude journal while reeking the benefits of journaling.

The Importance of Keeping a Journal While Abroad - The Study Abroad Blog explains why journaling will help you see the growth you've accomplished during your program.

Videos, Vlogs, and Podcasts

Oprah's Supersoul Conversations - Oprah's personal selection of interviews with thought-leaders, best selling authors, spiritual luminaries as well as health and wellness experts. (varies)

Unlocking Us with Brene Brown - Relections on what it means to be human. (varies)

The Daily Shine - Helping stress and anxiety through different forms of selfcare such as meditation and daily intentions. (varies)

On Being with Krista Tippett - Tackles questions we all begin to ask on our spiritual journeys, from meditiation to yoga to food and health. (varies)

 

While this section is focused on spiritual wellness, we encourage you to approach your global experience holistically--or  whole-istically. Ideally your takeaways from the experience will impact all of the dimensions of wellness in some way.  
 
Spiritual health encompasses various facets and can affect different dimensions of your health. The practice of spirituality is to produce a meaningful connection to life. You have finished your global experience and have developed as a person. Take this time to work on your spiritual health by taking a look deep within yourself and to discover your sense of self, both physically and emotionally. Many practice spiritual health through practicing yoga, joining an organized religion, or ending their day by jotting down the things they are grateful for. The practice of spirituality and focus on spiritual health does not have one specific look or way of practice but rather the focus is to maintain balance and purpose in everyday life.
 
 

Resources

Stress Free Zone* - Resources from the university where students can find guided meditations workshops, private space for meditation/yoga, massage chairs, and day light lamp therapy.

Office of Interfaith Dialogue and Engagement* - Engagement in interfaith dialougue through a variety of activities, workshops, events, and initatives that enchance personal spiritual identity and communal connections at the university.

Office of Diversity and Inclusion Independent Student Religious Groups* - Individual student run organizations open to any student at the university.

Apps

HeadSpace - Guide for mindful meditation to help with anxiety, stress, and sleep. Available for Androids and iOS.

Smiling Mind - Created by a non-profit organization to help with daily practices of meditation for various facets of life. Available for Androids and iOS.

ThinkUp - a daily affirmation app where you can record your own affirmations or follow along with a prompt. Available for Andorids and iOS.

Articles and Blogs

Take Time to Reflect on Your Study Abroad - SAI delves into the importance on reflecting on your experience and the growth that has come from it.

22 Mindful Excercises, Techniques and Activities for Adults - The Positive Psychology blog gives examples of excercises and techniques to help calm the mind and spirit during testing times.

Benefits of a Gradtitude Journal and How to Maintain One - Huffington Post demonstrates how to start and maintain a graditude journal while reeking the benefits of journaling.

Videos, Vlogs, and Podcasts

Oprah's Supersoul Conversations - Oprah's personal selection of interviews with thought-leaders, best selling authors, spiritual luminaries as well as health and wellness experts. (varies)

Unlocking Us with Brene Brown - Relections on what it means to be human. (varies)

The Daily Shine - Helping stress and anxiety through different forms of selfcare such as meditation and daily intentions. (varies)

On Being with Krista Tippett - Tackles questions we all begin to ask on our spiritual journeys, from meditiation to yoga to food and health. (varies)