1. Spirituality and Health
The Missing Connection to Complete Our Well-
Being
Mary Harte-McFarren
Mary Harte-McFarren
April 2013
April 2013

2. The spiritual link to ourselves as a whole
person
• What does spirituality • Where does it fit in with
mean? western and
• What is the difference complementary medicine
between spirituality and practices?
religion? • Are any of these services
• What does it mean to our covered by insurances?
population and its age • Is there an impact on the
groups? amount of money spent on
• What is its effect on our healthcare in general?
health?

3. What does spirituality mean, anyway ?
• The meaning or
purpose of life
• Is only found within
yourself
• Soul as distinguished
from the body
• How are You feeling
in this moment?
Photo by RainyDayPhotos.comcast.net
Photo by RainyDayPhotos.comcast.net

4. What does spirituality mean, anyway ? (notes)
• Some individuals define spirituality as a process of
getting in touch with what is inside of them. A journey of
self-realization; if you will.
• A search for inner peace. An understanding that there is
an existence beyond what the material world can offer.
• A ‘ quality state of the mind’, fulfilling the body’s
senses. For example – snow shoeing in the winter,
preparing the garden in the spring, swimming in a lake or
ocean in the summer, or strolling through the fallen leaves
in the autumn.

5. What is the difference between
spirituality and religion ?
• Individualized and • Organized and social
internalized institution
• Connection and closeness • Each denomination has
with nature; also to the same core beliefs,
practices, symbols, and
mankind as a whole rituals
• A search for the sacred – a • Relate to the set ways of
divine being or ultimate the sacred – established by
realization of one’s truth a church’s doctrine
• Possible ‘core’ of ones’ • Coping resource, typically
religion for the elderly

6. What does it mean to our population and
its age groups
Adolescents Adults ( 20-50) Mature (50+)
Awakening Turning away ¾ of elderly
from conformity
Growing Connection with Socialization,
connection nature routine, and
structure
How, Why, and Busy lives = no Greater
Where time satisfaction in
later life

7. What does it mean to our population and its
age groups ? (notes)
• Adolescents – just beginning to realize they are their own person,
discovering where they ‘fit in’ with society. Start to questions parents’
beliefs and values. Most often choose their paths from right or wrong
from their backgrounds.
• Young Adults – tend not to make spirituality a priority; they are too
busy with their stressful jobs, relationships, and raising a family.
More apt to find comfort in nature or in the arts – music, poetry, or
artwork to find fulfillment.
• Mature Adults – tend to return to their roots – more than likely that is
usually organized religion for socialization, routine, structure and
‘giving back’ – contributing what they can to feel useful – leads to
healthier attitudes and greater satisfaction in later life.

8. GALLUP Poll May 3-8, 2011
GALLUP Poll May 3-8, 2011

9. Spirituality’s Effect on Our Health
• When a person feels they have a meaning and
purpose, strength in their faith and hope = mental
and physical well – being.
• If an illness or injury arise; spirituality assists
with recovery or coping with illness, as it
motivates, enables, and empowers the patient.
Decreases in blood pressure , cholesterol , and
depression may occur.
• WHO (World Health Organization) has concurred
that spirituality is the ‘4th dimension’ to health,
completing and complementing the physical,
mental, and social aspects to a person as a whole.

10. Spirituality’s effect on our health (notes)
• Example: Addiction support groups, such as Alcoholics
Anonymous. These groups have a belief in a ‘Higher
Power’ or ‘God’ ( individual tastes) which help group
members keep problems and successes in perspective.
• If you aren’t familiar with these groups they follow a 12
step recovery program that provides support and structure
necessary for recovery.
• I have a good friend who has 20 years sobriety and works
her program so deeply and with great success that many of
her sponsees ( the people she helps guide) strive intensely
to follow.

11. Where does spirituality ‘fit in’ with
western and complimentary medicine?
Western medicine – • Complementary medicine-
medical care as we know treat the body as a whole .
it-treat the symptoms. • Chiropractic, acupuncture,
New concept – not taught massage therapy,
in medical schools. naturopathy – formerly
known as Eastern
Very structured – can be
medicine.
impersonal and rushed
( get ‘em in and back • Sometimes viewed as
out’). ‘quackery’ as there aren’t
many studies on the
Seems like treatments are
dictated by insurance validity of treatments
companies, at times. • There are no guidelines –
people seeking treatment
on their own with success.

12. Are any complimentary (alternative)
services covered by insurance ?
Insurance companies have begun to offer
alternative therapies as expanded benefits
Many HMO’s have services embedded in their
facilities (remember – HMO’s are all about
prevention)
Some state legislations are pushing for
mandating insurance coverage for these services
(along with licensing requirements for such
providers).

13. Are any complimentary (alternative) services
covered by insurance ? (notes)
• Not so much by regular health insurances.
• I was involved in a car accident a few years ago
(thankfully it wasn’t my fault and no major injuries were
incurred). I was recommend by the other party’s insurance
company to go and have a total of 3 consecutive massage
therapy treatments done.
• I know of a person who injured their back at work and was
having difficulty with pain management while out on
worker’s comp. – he was ‘strongly’ urged by the insurance
to go for acupuncture. He had some good results and the
services where covered 100%.

14. What is the impact on the amount of
money spent on these services in relation
to health care in general?
• People spend millions each year out of pocket for
alternative treatments – herbs, vitamins, diet
products, holistic services – to name a few.
• Positive attitudes (acquired by treating the body as
a whole) help the immune system strengthen,
lessen stressors – in turn keeping costs down for
the patient and the primary physician.
• A terminally ill patient gets to the point where
they may say “ enough with the tests, agonizing
and useless treatments” and only want to be
comfortable and treated as a whole person in their
last days – without concern who’s paying for it.

15. To view the following video, please double click on the
symbol below. It will take you to an inspirational message. I
hope you enjoy it as much as I have !
Life Is Like A Cup of Coffee - Inspirational Video Movie - YouTube.website

16. Citations and References
• Books – • Coyle,J (2002) Spirituality and health:
towards a framework for exploring the
Koenig, Harold G., M.D., relationship between spirituality and
‘The Healing Power of Faith’, New health.Journal of Advanced Nursing, 37:589-
York, Simon & Schuster,1999, 597,11March2013
• Onlinelibrsary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j1365-
Print. 2648,2002,02133x/abstract
Dhar,Neer (2011),Spiritual Health Scale:
Articles – Defining and measuring 4th Dimension of
Health. Indian Journal of Community
Cleary-Guida, MB;Okvat,HA; Oz,MC; Medicine 2011Oct-Dec, 36(4) 275-282 (3-
Ying,W. Journal of Alternative & 11-2013).
Complementary Medicine, 2001 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3263147
Jun7 (3): 269-73 (16 ref) Grant, Airdre. Incorporating Spirituslity into the
http://web.ebscohost.com.hrt- Work of the Holistic Practitioner.2012June,
Web.March62013. Epubs-
proxy.libraries.vsc.edu/ehost/delive scu.24/tlc_pubs/225/
ry?sid=3f8bcbff-b70a-495…

17. Citations and References – con’t
• Feelbetterandlivelonger.blogspot.com/2 The Link Between Spiritual Health &
012/01/link-between-spiritual-health- Physical Health.(2012/01)
physical.html Web., 2-28-13 feelbetterandlivelonger.blogspot.co
• m/2012/01/link-between-
www.recoveryconnection.org/drug-alcohol-addiction-support-groups/
3-6-2013 spiritualhealth-physical.html Web.
• GALLOP Poll June 3, 2011 02-28-2013.
www.gallop.com/poll/147857/americans-continue-believe-god.aspx April 24)
Shek, Daniel . (2012,
• Grant,Airdre , (2012-6) ‘Incorporating ‘Spirituality as a Positive
Spirituality Into The Work of the Development Construct: A
Holistic Practitioner’ Division of Conceptual Review’ The Scientific
Teaching and Learning, Southern Cross World Journal 2012. Web. 2-28-
University, Lismore, NSW, Australia 2013
Web. Epubs-scu.24/tlc-pubs/225/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.hrt.proxy.librar

18. Citations and References – con.’t
• Timmering, Dianne & • Warnock, Carla Jean Pease, ‘Who
Pays for Providing Spiritual Care
Stockton, Eddy (2011- in Healthcare Settings? The Ethical
April) ‘Spirituality and its Dilemma of Taxpapers Funding
Value – Added Impact on Holistic Healthcare and the First
Amendment Requirement for
Care Delivery and Separation of Church and State’
Revenue in the Long-term Journal of Religion and Health
Care Setting’ LTCI Press (2008) Web. March 3, 2013
2011. Web 03-06-2013 • www.springerlink.com/index/ar/31807488w
• Itcrevotition.com/wp- • Streaming Video – ‘Life is Like a
content/uploads/2012/08/whitep Cup of Coffee’ spiritual-short-
aper-spirituality-and-its-value- stories.com
added-Impact.pdf • http://youtube/U3NgzQ9Pcsg