Nourishing Your Spiritual Side: 5 Ways to Connect With Your Soul

By Helen Kwon, Reiki Master & Intuitive Healer and Lyne Desforges, Registered Holistic Nutritionist & Culinary Expert

Your Spiritual Side

In the wellness industry, we often refer to healing and treating in terms of three aspects: the body, the mind, and the spirit. Most people know what they need to do to nourish their body and mind (exercise, sleep, healthy foods, mental activities, etc.). But what about your spirit? What about your soul?

For some people, the thought of connecting with their soul may seem like a daunting process and outright scary, but it doesn’t have to be. We all have within us, the ability to connect with our soul and lift our spirit on a daily basis. 

During this time of physical distancing, where we long for more connection with others, we tend to overlook the most important connection of all, and that is with ourselves, our own soul. What are you doing on a regular basis to nourish your spiritual side? Here are some of favourite ways to nourish our soul and spirit.

Meditation

Meditation not only gives you the opportunity to be aware of the present moment, it also helps to connect with your spirit. By being in the stillness of your breath, you begin to experience your soul’s calling, dissolving any judgements or attachments to your thoughts and emotions. You become an observer of our own experience and allow the callings of your spirit to express your true self.

How to get started:
If you are new to meditation, consider doing some guided meditations to start. Whether you use an app such as Calm or Headspace, or join us on Wednesdays for Helen’s meditations, or use one of Danika’s pre-recorded meditations on our website, taking the time to meditate has enormous benefits. 
Set aside 10 minutes in your day (preferably first thing in the morning) for your meditation. Find a quiet and comfortable place in your home. Then just sit quietly and breathe.

Journaling 

Journaling is a great way to connect with your spirit by using the power of writing to uncover your soul’s wisdom. It gives you the opportunity to get to know yourself on a deeper level and it gives you permission to express who you are, without any judgement. Just journalling for 5-minutes a day can connect you with your spiritual side.

How to get started:
All you need is a notebook and a pen. Then set some time each day for your journalling (possibly before or after your meditation). Jot down how you feel, what you are grateful for, what you want to let go of, or anything else that is on your mind. By practising journaling, especially gratitude journaling every day, you will feel a shift in your soul as it expands and finds calm and peace. If you need some guidance in your writing, you can find some journals that have questions to guide you as well as some positive affirmations. The Five-Minute Journal is one of our favourites.

Yoga

There are a lot of misconceptions around yoga. Many people think that it is all about moving your body into all kinds of twisted poses. But yoga is much more than that. It is about connecting with your breath. Practicing Yoga gives you a chance to connect with your soul by aligning your whole being, physically, mentally and spiritually. It helps to release and move energy to improve the flow of the life force within you. Not only does yoga help with improving a myriad of health issues, it also brings you into awareness of the present moment.

How to get started:
You will need a yoga mat. The quality and thickness will vary according to your needs and budget. Having some yoga blocks and a yoga strap may be helpful as well. Many studios or yoga teacher will offer a free class if you want to try it out. Find a style that works for you and a yoga teacher that you can connect with. Most classes can be adapted to all levels. Here are some of our favourite yoga teachers who are offering online classes. Feel free to email them to learn more: Top of Mind Yoga (Sonja Tessari), Move (Sue Abell), WoW Powerwalking (Lee Scott). 

Music

Music is food for the soul. And we are not just talking about soul music! Whether you dance, sing, play an instrument or just listen to it, music ignites your spirit in an instant and helps to release the stresses of the day. Music has the power to lift you up and bring back wonderful memories. It also helps us to feel grounded in ourselves and fills us with hope and inspiration. Sing your lungs out or put on your dancing shoes and boogie on down! Your spirit will thank you!

How to get started:
Download the Spotify app and start building your own library of music for the soul. Make various playlist for your various moods. You can even make your own meditation playlist. Certain sounds and rhythms are actually conducive to introspection, soul-searching, and spirit lifting. You can find many on YouTube. Here is one that Helen uses for her meditation classes.

Nature

Being immersed in nature gives us the opportunity to slow down and to tune into the world around us. It brings us to an awareness that we are all connected and interdependent. Nature helps us get to the core essence of who we are on a spiritual level and that can really help ground us. Much research has been done on the benefits of forest bathing and its ability to nourish our physical, mental and spiritual selves.

How to get started:
Find some green spaces near your home. A park, a forest, or a trail. If you have a car, consider driving to an area that might be more quiet and further from the city. Wear some comfortable shoes. Once in your natural surroundings, take deep breaths and engage all your senses. Appreciate the beauty that surrounds you. Stay in the present moment and notice how you feel before, during and after your time in nature. If you can, consider walking barefoot for a short period of time to really ground yourself. Hug a tree for a few seconds and feel its life force. Your spirit will thank you!

Get into the spirit of things

Take some time today to think about ways that your soul and spirit feel nourished and connected. If you are not sure, how about starting to integrate some of the suggestions above. Print our fun infographic and post it on your fridge to remind you to nourish your spiritual side every day. Maybe you start with one meditation a day for a week, then you can add another practice. If you need help nourishing your soul, consider a reiki session with Helen, our reiki master and intuitive healer. She can guide you on a path to fully embrace your spiritual side.