Dr. Eboni Green
September 16, 2017
Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy is widely recognized for her resilience during challenging times, yet her role as a family caregiver is less acknowledged. Her journey as a caregiver began when her daughter, Rosemary Kennedy, was diagnosed with an undetermined mental deficiency, related to a lack of oxygen during her birth. Years later, Rose once again took on the role of caregiver when her husband, Joe Sr., suffered a debilitating stroke. She diligently oversaw his care for eight years until his passing.
Serving as both a caregiver and a public figure, Rose Kennedy undoubtedly faced moments of unease and distress, especially as so much was beyond her control. This experience is shared by many caregivers, who often encounter emotional strain and may begin to question their life’s purpose. Such experiences can lead to spiritual distress, a common challenge in caregiving.
Spiritual distress often arises when one’s life does not align with the dictates of their conscience. For caregivers, ignoring the call for a “spiritual journey” can deprive them of essential nourishment for their well-being. This can result in a pervasive sense of meaninglessness, increased cynicism, distrust, isolation, alienation, or estrangement, and may foster a hopeless outlook on the future.
Spiritual wellness is a part of caregiver wellness. Spiritual wellness encompasses religion, faith, personal beliefs, and self-actualization. These aspects are associated with positive health outcomes, better mental health, less depression, and improved coping mechanisms for stressful situations.
Please take this opportunity to evaluate your spiritual wellness. There are five statements; consider each statement openly and honestly. Assign two points (2) if you do not agree with the statement and one point (1) if you somewhat agree, and do not assign any points (0) if you agree with the statement.
I have someone with whom I feel comfortable talking with about my spiritual needs.
I am experiencing a sense of inner emptiness and see very few positive things in life.
I am at peace with myself and my life.
I tend to look for “magic solutions” to problems rather than searching for solutions from within.
Lately I have self-doubts about and constantly feel as though I need to prove myself.
A score of 7 or higher may indicate that are you might want to reach out to improve spiritual base
A score between 5 and 6 may indicate that you are doing okay with spiritually
A score between 0 and 5 may indicate that spiritually well
The following are five suggested strategies to enhance your spiritual well-being:
Drawing inspiration from truthful accounts of historical figures like Rose Kennedy can offer valuable strategies for connecting with your spirituality. Reading an inspirational book or poem may provide a fresh perspective or reveal practices that can support your spiritual well-being. You might gain spiritual comfort from reading Maria Shiver’s book of poetry I Am Maria: My Reflections and Poems on Heartbreak, Healing, and Finding Your Way Home.
Developing your own definition of spiritual wellness can help you identify and integrate activities that align with your spiritual core. By clarifying what spiritual wellness means to you, you are better equipped to recognize and avoid people, places, or situations that disturb your spiritual balance, allowing you to step away from spiritually distressing circumstances.
Read the following visualization to go on a mental pilgrimage:
Take a moment to close your eyes and envision yourself traveling to a place of spiritual or religious significance, far away in a remote region. Though the journey is difficult, arriving at your destination reveals beauty beyond what you imagined. Your spirit feels renewed, and you acknowledge your inner strength. This mental pilgrimage serves as a source of refreshment and revitalization!
Mindfulness is the sense of awareness experienced in the moment. A great deal of clinical data suggests that mindfulness can be the best thing we can do for our mind and body in today’s stressful lifestyle. Mindfulness techniques reduce stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine and boost happy and feel-good hormones like endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin. Mindfulness dramatically decreases the incidence of mental health problems and addictive behaviors, problems that can be prevalent among caregivers. You are invited to take the Mindfulness for Caregivers – Caregiver Support Services course where you will learn about the practice of mindfulness.
If you are experiencing spiritual distress, reach out to a trusted individual, such as a pastor or confidant. Having someone to talk to about your feelings is vital. If your distress persists, consider seeking support from a professional counselor or therapist.
If you are a caregiver, take a moment to define spiritual wellness, what does it mean to you?
