Practicing our strength: Biopsychosocial-spiritual well-being

Although life can be full of love and blessings it is universally understood that our lives can/will also be complicated, challenging and at times, painful.  To navigate the inevitable flow of ups and downs we can practice our strength. Strength is defined as “The capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure.” The word practice means, “The act of doing something regularly or repeatedly to improve our skill at doing it.” Essentially, there are behaviors, thoughts, movements, beliefs and more that, when practiced over time, can lead to a greater ability to withstand pressure and exude strength.

The biopsychosocial-spiritual model of well-being considers the integrated, interactive components of a human being and capitalizes on this integration to optimize well-being. Observing our body moving capably through our lives (the biological component), whether it be through activities of daily living, a gentle yoga class or a moderate weight training routine, can inform our understanding of our physical ability and become self-perpetuating. Physical acts of ability observed (meaning we must notice them), no matter how minor, can inform our emotional health, increase our resilience, and improve our self-confidence and self-efficacy.  

Areas of practice for our psychological well-being are many and continue to evolve throughout our lives. Anything from noticing our thoughts and redirecting them, to being repeatedly self-compassionate and kind towards ourselves during difficulty are behaviors/practices that inform our strength. The mindful practice of pausing before responding allows us to reduce reactivity and act with increased awareness if we choose to act at all. Performing acts of service or generosity in word or deed has a profound return on our own emotional health (accented by our feel-good hormone response) and can be as simple as delivering a smile or holding a door. The research suggests that those who are other-focused live longer, more satisfied lives.

Our social well-being is similarly improved as we knowingly connect and enjoy emotionally intimate relationships. Purposely creating opportunities to interact with others and cultivate quality exchanges has demonstrated improvements in emotional and physical health in the scientific literature.

Finally, people of faith practice beliefs that become an integrated part of their functioning. Christian beliefs suggest that when we relinquish our burdens to God, he offers us peace, love, and hope and we have access to his strength.  Conceptually, it is in the surrender that we find relief and strength. A faith practice can be a powerful form of bolstering our resilience. Participating in biopsychosocial-spiritual practices of well-being will not only enable us to remain standing and withstand the force of life’s slings and arrows, but this strength will ready us to experience the beauty and blessings all around us.