Transformative Power of Faith: Integrating Spiritual Practices into Mental Health Therapy

Liberation Lunes

August 19th, 2024

Integrating faith and therapy can provide a transformative path to healing in the quest for mental wellness. At Through the Valley Therapy, I believe in the power of holistic health, addressing the mind, body, and spirit. By combining biblical principles with evidence-based therapeutic techniques, we can foster a deeper understanding of our struggles and find true healing.

The Role of Faith in Therapy

Faith plays a crucial role in the healing process. The Bible offers wisdom and guidance that can enhance our mental health practices. For instance, Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” This verse highlights the importance of trust and submission to God’s will, which can bring peace and clarity during challenging times.

Incorporating prayer, scripture reading, and other spiritual practices into therapy sessions can help clients feel more grounded and supported. By aligning our therapeutic goals with our faith, we can create a holistic approach that honors the interconnectedness of our mind, body, and spirit.

Science Behind Faith and Mental Health

Research has shown that faith and spirituality can have a significant positive impact on mental health. A study published in the Journal of Religion and Health found that individuals who engage in regular religious or spiritual practices report lower levels of anxiety and depression, higher levels of well-being, and a greater sense of purpose in life. Another study from the American Journal of Psychiatry indicated that religious involvement is associated with better mental health outcomes, including lower rates of suicide and substance abuse.

Faith-based practices can provide coping mechanisms and a support system, fostering resilience and promoting recovery during difficult times. The sense of community, hope, and meaning derived from faith can be vital in navigating life’s challenges.

Practical Tips for Integrating Faith and Therapy

1. Daily Scripture Reading: Start your day with the Word of God. Use the YouVersion Bible App to listen to scripture as you go about your morning routine. This practice can set a positive tone for your day and provide spiritual nourishment.

2. Mindfulness and Meditation: Incorporate mindfulness practices that focus on biblical principles. Meditate on verses that speak to your current struggles and seek God’s presence in your quiet moments. Psalm 46:10 encourages us to “Be still, and know that I am God.”

3. Physical Activity: Engage in physical exercises that also allow for spiritual reflection. For example, I start my mornings with 100 jumping jacks and 20 body twists, inspired by Mike Chang’s fitness routines. This not only energizes my body but also creates a time of reflection and prayer.

4. Nature and Creation: Spend time in nature to connect with God’s creation. I fill up my bird feeder and watch the birds as I listen to the Bible app and study the Word. This practice, combined with watching the sunrise, serves as a form of red light therapy, which has been shown to improve mood and circadian rhythms.

5. Prayer and Reflection: Dedicate time each day to pray for yourself, your loved ones, and others in need. Prayer can provide a sense of purpose and connection, reinforcing the belief that we are all part of God’s plan.

My Morning Routine: A Holistic Practice

Every morning, I wake up between 6 and 6:30 AM to align with my circadian rhythm. This routine includes:

• First Thing in the Morning: I stretch, thank God for being alive and for a good night’s sleep, and prepare my body for the day.

• Hydration Ritual: I prepare a glass of water with a pinch of Baja Sea Salt or Redmond Real Salt and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. I also take my probiotics. This activates my system while I wait for my electric tea kettle to boil water for my tea.

• Sunrise and Red Light Therapy: Watching the sunrise offers natural red light therapy, which has been scientifically shown to improve mood and regulate sleep patterns.

• Bird Watching: Filling up my bird feeder and observing the birds connects me with nature, providing a sense of peace and grounding.

• Physical Exercise: While my tea brews for 5 minutes, I perform 100 jumping jacks and 20 body twists, which help to energize my body and prepare me for the day ahead. I also incorporate body tapping, an ancient practice used in Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and modern EFT, to stimulate energy flow and balance.

• Bible Study and Tea: Once the timer goes off, I then sit on my back porch, watch the birds and sunrise, and listen to the YouVersion Bible App. I enjoy either Art of Tea’s Happy Tea or Dr. Weil’s Tenchi Matcha during this time, which helps me focus and relax.

• One Minute Pause App: After the tea and Bible study, I spend 10 minutes on the One Minute Pause app by John Eldredge for further reflection and prayer.

• Breathwork: I finish my routine with 10 minutes of breathwork using the Breathly app, which helps center my mind and body.

I used to have a lot of bad habits, but by habit stacking and implementing new practices, I now feel more relaxed, at peace, and healthy at almost 53. You can experience this transformation too. This routine took years to develop and now takes about 45 minutes from the moment I wake up. Instead of waking up and automatically scrolling through my phone, which causes anxiety and depression, and going straight to coffee, which can exacerbate anxiety due to its diuretic effects, I follow this routine.

Waking up and immediately scrolling through your phone can lead to “doomscrolling,” which reinforces negative thoughts, increases anxiety, and interferes with starting your day at peace. Having electronics in your bedroom can disrupt sleep patterns by exposing you to blue light, which interferes with your circadian rhythm and increases stress hormones like cortisol. The bedroom should be your sanctuary for wellness, promoting rest and rejuvenation. Understanding and embracing holistic mental health is vital for achieving true wellness.

Conclusion

Integrating faith and therapy is a powerful approach to holistic mental health. By combining spiritual practices with therapeutic techniques, we can address the root causes of our struggles and find true healing. Remember, we are whole beings, and it’s time to embrace a holistic approach to mental health that honors the mind, body, and spirit. For more details, refer to my Holistic Self-Care guide available on my website.

By following these practices and integrating faith into your therapeutic journey, you can achieve a holistic approach to mental health that honors the mind, body, and spirit.

Related Podcast Episodes

For more insights, you can listen to relevant episodes of my podcast, The Holistic Counselor:

Ep. 13 - Breathe in Faith, Rise Above Fear: Your Path to Empowerment

• This episode explores the importance of breathwork and mindfulness in managing fear and anxiety. It highlights the use of the Breathly app for daily breathwork exercises.

• Listen to the episode here. Don't forget to leave a review!

Heavenly Father, thank You for this new day and the opportunity to seek Your wisdom and guidance. Please bless each reader with peace, strength, and the knowledge of Your everlasting love. Help them to find healing and comfort through their faith and the practices they embrace. May Your presence be a source of hope and renewal for them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In Service, Faith, Hope and Love,

Diana

P.S. Share in the comments how you embrace faith for your mental health!

And now for the disclaimer to make sure you understand that YOU are responsible for YOU:

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Liberation Lunes is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this blog. The views expressed on this blog are my personal opinions and do not represent the views of any professional organizations with which I am affiliated. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, 911, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) immediately. Liberation Lunes does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the blog. Reliance on any information provided by Liberation Lunes, others appearing on the blog at the invitation of Liberation Lunes, or other visitors to the blog is solely at your own risk.

Confidentiality Notice:

If you choose to engage with Liberation Lunes by commenting or posting and you are a client, please be aware that you may be revealing information that could compromise your confidentiality. Remember that disclosing your identity or personal details can be linked to your clinical material. As a therapist, I am bound by confidentiality and will not respond to any disclosures of this nature on this blog. I am committed to upholding the ethics and confidentiality of the therapeutic relationship, which extends to all forms of communication, following the laws and professional guidelines that govern mental health professionals. Your privacy is of utmost importance, and you are responsible for protecting it when interacting on this platform or any other public forum.

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