Spiritual wellness month

Contact: ERH Public Relations at (513) 272-5555, ext. 4288

CINCINNATI (March 4, 2008) –March has been designated as “spiritual wellness month.” Spirituality, one of the six dimensions of wellness recognized by Episcopal Retirement Homes, can be easily misunderstood as a critical factor in the workplace. According to itstime.com, spiritual wellness in the workplace is defined with seven principals:

1. Spirituality is creativity: People are naturally creative. When people enjoy what they do, they work much harder. Creativity includes conscious effort to see things differently, to break out of habits and find new ways of thinking, doing and being. Creativity is using laughter and freedom to enhance productivity.

2. Spirituality is communication: This is the vehicle that allows people to work together. Effective communication and teamwork involves listening to others and learning from one another.

3. Spirituality is respect: Respect for others, self, people’s workspace, viewpoints, philosophies, abilities, beliefs, and personalities. When we learn to work together as equals with respect, we are developing our workplace spiritual wellness. A lack of respect can lead to conflict and hostility.

4. Spirituality is vision: Vision is seeing beyond the obvious. It is a trait used to describe great leaders. Vision, for some, is an inborn trait. They see a vision for what can be, the possibilities beyond the status quo and for what lies ahead. Vision, however, can be learned by those who are motivated to grow and further their spirituality.

5. Spirituality is partnership: Partnership encompasses individual responsibility and trust that other people will perform according to their commitments for the good of the team. Partnership accepts that different people have different view points and beliefs; those differences are used to broaden the team and make it stronger. Lack of partnership leads to isolation and unhealthy competition.

6. Spirituality is energy: Positive energy is created when people feel creative, have the freedom to express their opinions, and feel respect from their management and peers. The opposite of positive energy is a hostile or difficult work environment. It leads to a loss of respect, dignity and productivity.

7. Spirituality is flexibility: Flexibility includes the ability to adapt to changing situations and allowing your own habits to change as needed. Preparing for change is one way of learning flexibility. Another other is to learn about ourselves, our strengths and weaknesses, allowing others to help us when needed.

Maintaining a spiritual wellness in the workplace starts with looking inward at yourself and then outward to those around you. Look for ways to nurture your own spirit while positively affecting those with whom you interact. By embracing your spiritual wellness the impact in your own life and with others may far surpass your expectations.

About Episcopal Retirement Homes:
Founded in 1951, Episcopal Retirement Homes (ERH) is a not-for-profit organization that owns and/or manages Deupree House, Marjorie P. Lee Retirement Community and St. Paul Village in Cincinnati; Canterbury Court in West Carrollton; and Cambridge Heights in Cambridge, Ohio.

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