Chapter 7

Question 1

True or False?
Scientists have begun searching for a biological basis for human spirituality genes. One researcher even believes that he has found this gene.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

A person’s connection to self, significant others, and the community at large. Involves a personal belief in a higher power. Provides a feeling of participation in something greater than oneself and sense of unity with nature and the universe.

Answer 2

Spirituality

Question 3

Affects your capacity for love, compassion, joy, forgiveness, altruism, and fulfillment. It can help you overcome stress, cynicism, anger, fear, anxiety, self-absorption, and pessimism.

Answer 3

Spiritual health

Question 4

Being able to balance closeness, separation, provide mutual support, respect, good communication, and caring actions.

Answer 4

Healthy relationships

Question 5

Include relationships at school, work, or in the neighborhood.

Answer 5

Community relationships

Question 6

Helps by maintaining cognitive function in older adults and to lower mortality rates.

Answer 6

Social participation

Question 7

If you don’t have many of this, there’s a risk of related behaviors such as alcohol and tobacco consumption, physical activity, and behaviors leading to obesity.

Answer 7

Size of person’s social network (amount of people to confide in)

Question 8

Another aspect of spirituality that involves a person developing this. It is a set of guidelines for how you want to live your life, how you determine what’s good and bad. Shapes who you are as a person, how you make decisions and what goals you set for yourself.

Answer 8

Value system

Question 9

What is your map to decision making and makes decisions less stressful and easier?

Answer 9

Value system

Question 10

A way to slow your racing thoughts and quiet your mind by focusing on a word, an object like a candle, or a process like breathing. Involves attention to inner self. Provides deep relaxation, promotes health, increases creativity and intelligence, and brings inner peace and happiness.

Answer 10

Meditation

Question 11

What is often used in stress management programs?

Answer 11

Meditation

Question 12

A form of meditation and the practice of living fully in the moment. Being more aware of your thoughts without judging them will allow you to control impulsive and undesirable reactions.

Answer 12

Mindfulness

Question 13

A pleasurable experience of complete absorption and engagement in an activity. When you learn to be mindful and live in the moment, you are more likely to experience this in your daily activities.

Answer 13

Flow

Question 14

When you forget yourself, lose track of time, feel as though you have become one with what you are doing.
Example:
Athletes often say this

Answer 14

“in the zone”

Question 15

A way of recording your feelings, thoughts, breakthroughs, and desires in a private way that will help you understand yourself more clearly. When you write amount things such as emotional issues, things you’re worrying about or dreaming about, things you feel are affecting your life in an unhealthy way, or something you have been avoiding for a long time.

Answer 15

Journaling

Question 16

Is a period of seclusion, solitude, or group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, or study. Intended to reenergize your life and restore your zest for living. These are facilities, workshops, and programs for spiritual growth, but you can also use your home as this.

Answer 16

Retreat

Question 17

Designed to foster learning, growth, and restore energy, so that when you return to normal life, you can live your life to the fullest in a purposeful way. To do this, you must set aside social events, electronics, errands, and housework. These are intended to stimulate the mind, enhance self awareness, and refresh the spirit. They provide food for mind, body and spirit. You can involve yourself with anything healthy to help center yourself such as a walk in nature, writing poetry, and reading.

Answer 17

Spiritual retreat

Question 18

Enjoying or participating in this can be a spiritual experience whether it is sculpting, painting, music, poetry, literature, theatre, storytelling, dance, etc. Can engage heart, mind, and spirit. Carries universal themes of love, loss, birth, death, isolation, community, continuity, and change. When you express yourself creatively, you may experience a spiritual connection with your inner core and natural world beyond yourself.

Answer 18

Art

Question 19

How long does it take to make a behavior change stick?

Answer 19

60-90 days

Question 20

A key factor in mental benefits from spirituality. Lead to lower blood sugar, less back pain, and better overall health. Along with hope, love and contentment it can promote less anxiety and minimizes stress response.

Answer 20

Forgiveness

Question 21

True or False?
Studies have found no relationship between health and spirituality. Researchers say spirituality can have negative outcomes for physical and mental health. Some studies show that people who believed they were being prayed for had more anxiety and complications than those who were unsure if they were being prayed for. These studies are counteracted by others that show that patients who believe they are being prayed for regardless of whether or not they are actually being prayed for have better outcomes than those who don’t believe they are being prayed for.

Answer 21

True

Question 22

Connects us with other people. May experience a “helpers high” similar to a “runner’s high”. One on one interaction and direct involvement has more effect on people that do this. Working, having unselfish motives, and performing this consistently further helps the high and increases the health benefits.

Answer 22

Volunteering

Question 23

Combines ecological, ethical, and spiritual beliefs. This may include participation in retreats or times of reflection to deepen connections to the earth. Daily activities such as recycling, composting, walking or bike riding instead of driving helps you sustain your spirituality and add meaning to your life.

Answer 23

Ecospirituality

Question 24

In a study, 89% of Americans describe “good death” as one that included making peace with God. Many also included prayer and discussing the meaning of this in their description of a good death.

Answer 24

Death

Question 25

The 5 stages of death and dying are: (can experience in different order or return to certain stages or not experience some at all)

Answer 25

1.) Denial and isolation
2.) Anger
3.) Bargaining
4.) Depression
5.) Acceptance

Question 26

True or False?
Terminally ill people report more religious involvement and greater spirituality than healthy people.

Answer 26

True

Question 27

A natural reaction to loss. Comes with sadness, loneliness, anger, and guilt. These feelings are part of the process of healing. Physical symptoms include: crying, reduced appetite, aches and pains, sleep disturbances, headaches, and upset stomach. Can lead to a negative impact on the immune system.

Answer 27

Grief

Question 28

First phase. Numbness and shock. This stage is immediate, brief, and protects us from acute pain.

Answer 28

Bereavement

Question 29

Second stage. This is when shock wears off, and you begin to feel pain of loss and long to be reunited with a loved one.

Answer 29

Separation

Question 30

Third stage. When you are preoccupied and distracted. There may be trouble concentrating, lethargic, or indifferent feelings. May last longer than you might expect.

Answer 30

Disorganization

Question 31

Last stage. You begin to adjust to the loss and can reinvest in life as the intensity of the loss lessens.

Answer 31

Reorganization

Question 32

Usually for the living more than for death. They help mourners move through the grief process.

Answer 32

Rituals