On the 23rd of January 2020 the city of Wuhan, China shut down in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. By February 10th, less than a month later, over 1,000 individuals throughout the world had passed away from COVID-19. On March 13th President Donald Trump declared a nationwide emergency, which led to school systems, restaurants, businesses, and even grocery stores to shut down. Social distancing was implemented, and masks were worn by many to attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 and avoid the illness themselves.[1]
Around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic shook the lives of individuals and families as it affected their health, relationships, education, careers, mobility, and many other aspects of everyday living.[2] In some ways, the pandemic was tearing families apart; however, some families found that the pandemic also provided strengthening opportunities that helped them grow together. Research shows that crises, though they are often viewed negatively, can provide these strengthening opportunities. A family’s shared beliefs and close relationships can help them to be resilient even in the face of uncertainty.[3]
A recent study by Dr. Heather Kelley and her colleagues explored the impact that spiritual practices had on families during the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] Their study found that an individual’s spiritual practices before and during the COVID-19 pandemic had the ability to increase familial closeness and even change an individual’s perspective of the pandemic. Implementing spiritual practices individually and as a family was related to families believing that the pandemic could have a positive and long-lasting effect on their family. This reflects a touching passage of Christian scripture which says, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped” (Psalms 28:7).[5]
Although spiritual practices can sometimes be the same as common religious practices (e.g. reading scripture, praying, attending religious gatherings, etc.), they don’t have to be. Spiritual practices encompass much more than just religious rituals and routines. Kelley and colleagues defined spirituality as “a person’s unique, individual beliefs and practices that help them connect to a higher meaning in life or bring them peace.”4 This means that any individual, whether they associate with a religious group or not, can participate in these family-fortifying actions individually or with their loved ones. So, what are some spiritual practices you can implement into your family?
Takeaways
- Practice yoga or other forms of meditation. In Kelley and colleagues’ study, individuals frequently reported yoga and meditation as coping mechanisms during the COVID-19 pandemic.4 Additionally, yoga and meditation have also been found to be therapeutic measures for mental health challenges because they can increase self-regulation which provides a myriad of other benefits.[6] Participating in yoga and/or meditation can be a helpful, individual or family practice. Take some time to find one of the many free online resources that guide you in yoga or other forms of meditation. In participating in this spiritual practice, you may find strength for yourself and your family amidst challenges.
- Practice being mindful. Mindfulness can come in many different forms, but some ways that people practice mindfulness include being still, being present, or elevating their mind and thinking.4 Individuals in Kelley’s study highlighted the importance of mindfulness by noting that it helped them with their mental health, especially with anxieties surrounding the pandemic.4 Other studies have found that mindfulness reduces anxiety, fear, and depression as well as improves sleep duration.[7], [8] Being mindful is something you can practice, and over time it can develop into a beneficial character trait that can help you to face uncertainty with hope.
- Connect with nature. Connecting with nature may not be the first thing people think about when considering what spiritual practices, routines, or rituals they can participate in. Even so, it too has a myriad of benefits. Because the world was on lockdown during COVID-19, many people turned to nature and found it not only enjoyable, but therapeutic.4 Even before the pandemic though, researchers were looking into all the possible benefits of participating in this spiritual activity. Connecting with nature promotes flourishing and can have a positive impact on well-being.[9] Connecting with nature doesn’t have to be hard, it can be as simple as taking a walk in a park, listening to birds chirping in the spring, or sitting by a lake or pond. There is a beautiful world out there that blesses us when we take the time to be in it.
References:
[1] Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, March 15). CDC Museum COVID-19 Timeline. https://www.cdc.gov/museum/timeline/covid19.html#
[2] Settersten, R. A., Bernardi, L., Härkönen, J., Antonucci, T. C., Dykstra, P. A., Heckhausen, J., Kuh, D., Mayer, K. U., Moen, P., Mortimer, J. T., Mulder, C. H., Smeeding, T. M., Lippe, T., Hagestad, G. O., Kohli, M., Levy, R., Schoon, I., & Thomson, E. (2020). Understanding the effects of Covid-19 through a life course lens. Advances in Life Course Research, 45, 100360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alcr.2020.100360
[3] Prime, H., Wade, M., & Browne, D. T. (2020). Risk and resilience in family well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. American Psychologist, 75(5), 631–643. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000660
[4] Kelley, H. H., Dollahite, D. C., James, S., & Marks, L. D. (2023). Changes in spiritual practices and relational well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Marriage & Family Review, 59(2), 41-64. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2021.2022563
[5] King James Version Bible. (2013). Intellectual Reserve. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ps/28?lang=eng#p7
[6] Gard, T., Noggle, J. J., Park, C. L., Vago, D. R., & Wilson, A. (2014). Potential self-regulatory mechanisms of yoga for psychological health. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, 770. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00770
[7] Belen, H. (2022). Fear of COVID-19 and mental health: The role of mindfulness in during times of crisis. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 20(1), 607–618. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00470-2
[8] Zheng, M. X., Masters-Waage, T. C., Yao, J., Lu, Y., Tan, N., & Narayanan, J. (2020) Stay mindful and carry on: Mindfulness neutralizes CCOVID-19 stressors on work engagement via sleep duration. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 11, 610156. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.610156
[9] Capaldi, C. A., Passmore, H. A., Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Dopko, R. L. (2015). Flouishing in nature: A rreview of the benefits of connecting with nature and its application as a wellbeing intervention. International Journal of Wellbeing, 5(4), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v5i4.449