We know that grief can affect our emotional health – but did you know that it may also have profound physical effects? A recent study led by Murray Mittleman, MD, at the Harvard School of Public Health found that the risk of heart attack may increase dramatically after the loss of a loved one. The […]
Does Spirituality Belong in Therapy?
Some therapists are hesitant to include spirituality in their practice. But if it can calm worries and lower stress, wouldn’t we want to integrate it into practice? Psychologist David Rosmarin, PhD headed up a research team at Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital to study how spirituality and belief impact worry and doubt. They conducted two studies I […]
Does God Affect Our Brain?
Have you ever seen colors spelled out using the wrong color font? It’s called the Stroop task and it might look like this: Red Blue Green Yellow. Instead of reading the word, you have to determine the color of the word. Researchers from the University of Toronto, led by psychologist Michael Inzlicht, PhD, examined subjects’ […]
No Expertise Required – A Spiritual Practice for the Practitioner
When we think of spirituality, scriptures, ceremonies, and specific religious practices often come quickly to mind. But even beyond these rich traditions, spirituality can run deep to engage the entire mind, body, and spirit of each individual person. Spirituality dictates that we look for and honor the essential humanity in each individual. As practitioners, many […]
Aspects of Spirituality May Help to Heal Chronic Illness
We know that spirituality can help us feel connected with ourselves, others, and even a higher power, but what are the specific aspects that are associated with improved healing? Researchers from the University of Missouri recruited men and women suffering from chronic health conditions to find out. Participants suffered from a range of conditions including […]