Health and Wellness – Page 5 – The Big Words Blog Site

Dementia: Caring For a Loved One At Home

“Caring for someone with dementia isn’t easy, especially if it’s a loved one. You may feel that your loved one is slowly slipping away from you and you’re powerless to stop it. The best way to help someone with dementia is make them feel safe and loved.”

Buffer

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. In the circle of life, many children end up having to take care of their parents, especially when dementia takes hold. It can be very challenging for all parties involved. The following contributed post is entitled, Dementia: Caring For a Loved One At Home.

* * *

Pexels

Caring for someone with dementia isn’t easy, especially if it’s a loved one. You may feel that your loved one is slowly slipping away from you and you’re powerless to stop it. The best way to help someone with dementia is make them feel safe and loved.

There are many ways you can do that at home. Caring for a loved one at home is one of the greatest gifts you can give but it can be a difficult road. Here are some things that can help.

Write Things Down

Someone with dementia will find it almost impossible to remember dates and times of appointments or to-do lists. You can help by keeping things organized for everyone involved in your loved ones care. Check off a chart when medication has been administered.

Keep doctor and hospital letters filed away in a safe place. Check the fridge, freezer, and cupboards for what foods need to be restocked and make a shopping list. These practical ways of helping will ensure your loved one has everything they need.

Invest in Medical Electronics

Those with dementia often have other health issues. If you’re caring for your loved one at home, it can help to have all the medical equipment you need to give your loved one the best quality of life. For instance, respiratory home care equipment is available from a medical electronics manufacturing company.

You can go directly to the manufacturers or you can make enquiries via your medical consultant. Respiratory equipment can help those with dementia to breathe properly during sleep, sending enough oxygen to the brain to help it function as well as possible.

Encourage Independence

It can be tempting to do as much as you can for your loved one to make things easier on you both. Part of caring for an elderly person with dementia is paying them the respect of maintaining as much independence as possible. It’s incredibly difficult to lose independence when you’re so used to doing things for yourself.

When it comes to dressing, bathing, cooking, and more, allow your loved one to do as much as they are able to do. It may make all daily tasks longer and more complicated but it will be good for your loved one. If you think they need additional support, it could be worth looking into a care home. You can find Care.com reviews online.

Follow Routine

Routine is great for anyone with dementia. Waking up, showering, eating, all at the same time of day everyday, will help your loved one with brain health. Knowing what to expect in a world that’s becoming ever more strange can be a comfort.

Familiar activities will also help your loved one have a good quality of life. Listening to favorite music or visiting a favorite place will not only help your loved one but also give you a glimpse of the person you once knew again. Familiarity is a key in helping dementia patients recognize things, places, and people. In some cases, it also helps patients to recall memories.

If you’ve found this article helpful, take a look at the others.

5 Tips on Maintaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance

Two focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness and Career Discussions. No matter what career field you are in, a health work-life balance is essential. Too much work can equate to too much stress and health problems. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Tips on Maintaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance.

* * *

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to get caught up with work; after all, it’s your livelihood and the better you do at work, the more money you can have for your home life. But, it’s also important to make sure you have a healthy work-life balance too to prevent you from becoming burnt out. Finding that balance looks different for everyone, but let’s take a look at some ways you can find what works well for you so that you can get the best of both worlds.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-taking-picture-using-camera-610294/

Understand your needs

The first thing you need to do is understand what you need in your life to make you feel balanced when it comes to working and resting. This could be making boundaries when it comes to the hours you work, or making sure that you make time for your hobbies. It might take some time to find the right balance for you, but experiment with different working hours and how you can fit the things you enjoy into your day.

Find ways to manage your time better

If you’re unorganised, then there’s a good chance you spend a lot of your working day trying to manoeuvre through tasks, which could lead to you spending more time at work to make sure they’re completed. Take some time to organise yourself so that you can get through your daily quote on time and concentrate on spending more time doing the things you love. You can do this by prioritising your tasks and using tools like calendars and to-do lists to keep on top of things.

Let others lead by example

If you run a business, it can be difficult to know when to switch off and have some me time. You could take a look at other great examples of companies that promote a healthy work-life balance and see what they do. You could take a look at Deloitte work-life balance as an example – they understand that employee well-being means that there’s more productivity in the workplace. So, if you don’t want to do it for yourself, do it for your employees to keep your business running the best it can.

Set your own boundaries

When it comes to maintaining a healthy work-life balance it’s important to set boundaries. You can do this by logging off at a certain time and turning your phone on do not disturb so that if anything comes through, you’re not thinking about it until your next working day. It’s important that you relay these wishes with your colleagues/employer to keep these boundaries in place.

Prioritise your physical and mental health

Finally, it’s more than just having the right amount of time to do the things you love; it’s about prioritising your physical and mental health too. Get regular exercise, eat healthily and get enough sleep so that you can not only look after yourself and feel good, but so that you can be in the best position when it comes to work and when it comes to your free time.

Keeping Yourself Safe At Work More Easily

Three focuses of my blog are Career Discussions, Health/Wellness and Workplace Discussions. Depending on the type of work you’re doing, safety may be a key consideration as it will impact your personal and professional lives. The following contributed post is entitled, Keeping Yourself Safe At Work More Easily.

* * *

If you are keen to make sure that you are really looking after yourself, there are few places that are going to be quite as important in this as your workplace. Wherever it is that you happen to work, you will find that you are much more likely to be able to keep yourself safe if you are keeping this at the forefront of your mind, and if you follow a few specific ideas and rules too. So let’s take a look now at what they might be that you want to consider, as that is going to help you out a lot.

Image Credit – CCO License

Follow Health & Safety Rules

One of the main things you need to do here is to make sure that you are following all the necessary health and safety rules that might come into play. As long as you do that, it’s going to mean that you are much more likely to actually be able to understand how to keep yourself safe. Those rules are there for a reason, and very often following them is going to be enough to ensure that you are keeping so much safer on the whole. This is a simple but highly effective thing that you can do.

Champion Better Conditions

If you do notice that the conditions you are all made to work in could be somewhat better, then this is certainly something that you might want to try and champion, because it might be a lot more challenging than you think to make sure that you are doing that. The truth is that there are very often problems with workplaces that need sorting out. If you notice that things are not as they should be, and you get injured as a result of those poor conditions, you might have a case to take up with Javier Villarreal Law Firm or someone similar.

Image Credit – CCO License

Keep Aware

As far as possible, you should try to keep aware of what is going on around you, what your surroundings are, what you and other people are doing, and so on. If you can do all that, you’re going to find that you are much more likely to stay safe, and that everyone else will be more likely to stay safe too. That is something that you are definitely going to want to think about here. Keep aware, and it will make a huge difference to how safe you can really be.

Use The Proper Safety Equipment

For so many jobs and tasks within jobs, you have to make sure that you are using the proper safety equipment. This is something that you definitely need to think about if you are going to try and make yourself a lot safer, and it’s likely that you are going to need to think about this. As long as you are using the proper safety equipment, you should find that you can keep yourself safe at work so much more easily on the whole.

Love Sports? Here’s Why Should Try the Water!

Two focuses of my blog are Athletics and Sports and Health/Wellness. Water sports can be a fun way to pursue your physical fitness and really enjoy yourself. The following contributed post is entitled, Love Sports? Here’s Why Should Try the Water!

* * *

There is nothing more exciting than choosing to start a new sport. With the new year looming, most people are starting their New Year’s resolutions. So have you ever considered putting your minds to doing a new sport that you’ve never tried before? Did you know that most people think that a sport is something that they should do by obligation? In fact, the opposite is true. You should never feel obligated to participate in a sport, but you should feel inspired to. You should feel like participating in a sport is going to be the best thing that you do with your week.

Whether you choose to Play tennis or play football’s completely up to you, but engaging in sport is going to be one of the best things that you can do for your mental and physical health. If you love sport already, and you already take part in a couple of teams, have you ever considered expanding your reach to the water? If you’re fortunate enough to live near a body of water in any way, or one is close enough for you to get to regularly, then engaging in a water sport is going to be life changing. Some people love to paddle board and other people love to learn to surf. But before you can decide which sport you want to do, you need to decide to get on the water in the first place. Did you know that only around 80% of Americans say that they can swim?

The thing is, only over 50% of swimmers know how to do the basics to be able to save a life in the water or to save their own life. It doesn’t matter how old you are learning to swim, it can save your life and it can also be a great way to exercise and push out any of the adrenaline you’ve been pent up in your body. So if you love sports we’ve put together a list of very compelling reasons why you try water sports and not just stay on land.

Image source: Pexels

● It’s not limited to just you. Water sports are fun for the entire family, and the reason is that you can get your kids as involved as you want to be. Of course, you can decide to go ahead and engage in a new spot on the water by yourself, but where’s the fun in that? After you’ve had a stressful day at work or a stressful week at work, getting out onto the water could be the only thing that makes you feel good about yourself on the inside. Whether you are recreationally swimming or you decide to learn to surf, you can get the kids involved too. Not only will they be excited to get involved in a new sport, but they have something to do that isn’t just staring at screens all day. The fact that you can do it together as a family also helps to enhance your togetherness.
● It’s excellent exercise. Water prevents your body from moving as freely, which means that there is a resistance for you to move through every time you want to exercise. Certain water sports are fantastic to work your core muscles with and you can really burn off some calories. Stand up paddle boarding is a good way to exercise your entire core, and swimming is a great workout because it’s an easy way to get a full body workout in. Because there’s no impact on your joints, it’s a very safe cardio workout as well. Most people who suffer injury like to get into the water, to continue exercising because there’s a support with the water. They can still enjoy endurance when they are swimming as well because it is a low impact activity that engages everything in your body.
● You have sore joints. If you are advancing in age and you are dealing with achy joints, then water sports including swimming are fantastic for you. You’ll be able to use your joints while you swim without making your symptoms worse, which is why hydrotherapy is a good option if there is rheumatoid arthritis on your medical sheet. If you are feeling stiff or you’re having knee troubles, swimming is going to help you to exercise your body and exercise the joint without putting any additional pressure on it. This level of support isn’t something you can find in traditional sports.
● It’s excellent for your mental health. Is there anything more fun than learning how to surf and being crushed over by waves? Is it more of a challenge to stand up on a paddle board? Yes, it is. If you can manage to exceed yourself and meet that challenge head on, you’re going to be excited by that and it’s going to make you feel good about yourself. You deserve to reduce any depression or anxiety that you may be feeling, and you’re going to improve mental health as you get onto the water and learn how to do something new.

Image source: Pexels

● It’s fun all year round. Water sports generally tend to be fun no matter the time of year, because swimming especially is something that you can do in an indoor pool as well as an outdoor pool. You can still paddle board in the winter if you want to, but just make sure that you are suiting up the right way so that you are warm while you are on the water. If you are heading off on a vacation to a warm location, you can show off those water sport skills of yours anytime of the year.
● There is freedom in it. A lot of people who enjoy watersports feel liberated while they do it. It doesn’t matter the sport option, they feel free when they’re in the water and they feel supported by weightlessness because of the water’s experience. You can sail or kayak into untouched areas, and you can explore different islands by learning how to paddle, board or kayak between them. This level of freedom cannot be received in any other sporting type because water allows you to feel free.
● It’s a great way to escape the heat. If you are living in a hot place or you are holidaying in a hot place, you’re going to feel very encouraged by the fact that water sports allow you to escape that. You’re going to strengthen your body while keeping yourself cool and comfortable while you exercise. That movement is going to make you feel good about yourself, so you should lean into that as much as you can.
● Your body type doesn’t matter. Anybody who’s dealt with obesity before understands how difficult it can feel to run compared to if you are feeling the pull of swimming. Your body isn’t limited in water in the same way that it is on land, and the water allows you to push yourself further physically than it is possible if you were just running through the park.
● Opportunity to learn something new. Whether you want to just learn how to swim or you want to get into a more of an extreme sport, you can fall in love with water sports in a way that you can’t do anything else. Kite surfing, for example, is a safe extreme sport that allows you to get into the air as well as the water. So why not learn something new while you can?

Inspiring Your Child To Be More Active

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. Many children are not active today like they were in years past. Physical activity is critical for a child’s growth and development. The following contributed post is entitled, Inspiring Your Child To Be More Active.

* * *

Pexels – CC0 License

With the draw of video games consoles, movies and television shows, social media, the internet, and many other distractions, it’s easy for a young developing mind to spend much of their time sat in front of screens. That’s not always a terrible thing if enjoyed in moderation and under the watchful eye of their parent deeming what is appropriate, but it’s true that healthier practices exist, and should be cared for.

Inspiring your child to be more active isn’t just about helping them learn about sports, but about being more independent, less afraid of the outside world, and in a word, healthier.

Forcing them to do a sporting class might not be the way forward though, as inspiring a child is just as important as convincing them to do something for their own good. Never fear, because with a little care and attention, you too will inspire your loved one to express the best of themselves.

But what does that look like in practice? In this post, we’ll discuss that and more, and potentially inspire your child to be the best of themselves:

Get Involved & Explore A Hobby Together

When a child knows they’re interested alongside you, and that you’ll be with them as they explore, they may feel so much more motivated to try new activities. Perhaps twice a week you decide to head into the jiu-jitsu gym and watch them take part in learning martial arts, or maybe you’ll head to their violin concerts, or support their team games. Moral support is sometimes all a child needs to grow, and feel confident in trying a new activity. As a parent, you’re in a unique position to give them this in droves, or to help their older siblings pay their moral support, too.

Find A Suitable Activity, Together

Not all activities will be appreciated by your loved one, but one might be their passion for the rest of their life. It might be that you learn the rules and hockey periods of such a fantastic team game together, so you can gauge their taste and see how they like it. The same can go for other activities, like booking in a few musical lessons for guitar, and if that doesn’t take, drums. It’s okay if it takes a little while for your child to feel entirely comfortable with a specific hobby, not everyone is wired for every task.

Share Your Own Passions

It’s true that sharing your own passion can help a child feel inspired, because children tend to latch onto the interests of authority figures or loved ones through osmosis. Perhaps you love putting together realistic models in your basement, or you adore reading in your free time. Sharing that with your child, showing them why you love it so much, or even introducing them to habits you loved at their age can be great. Even if it’s showing them your collection of Batman comics, anything to help them spend less time online and glued to a screen is a good idea.

With this advice, you’re certain to inspire your child to be more active and interested about the world, despite the constant distractions that exist in the modern world.

Practical (and Peculiar): A Few Different Approaches to Relaxation

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. Relaxation is a key component to our qualities of life. Understanding relaxation can in fact add years to your life. The following contributed post is entitled, Practical (and Peculiar): A Few Different Approaches to Relaxation.

* * *

Source – CC0 License

We’re all in the pursuit of relaxation. However, so many people go down the traditional, well-worn paths. Meditation, yoga, or a good book are by no means ineffective, but it sometimes benefits an individual to venture into unconventional territories. So let’s show you some alternative approaches to relaxation.

CBD/THC

CBD/THCWhile CBD is touted for its calming effects, there are many people who feel they can’t unwind without the THC component, which is commonly found in marijuana. However, if you’re opting for the latter, you need to approach it with caution, considering the individual tolerance, potential side effects, and, of course, the legal implications that may warrant a cannabis lawyer.

Buteyko Breathing

A breath of fresh air when it comes to relaxation. Developed by Russian doctor Konstantin Buteyko, this is a breathing method that involves training your breathing patterns beyond the typical deep inhales and exhales. In fact, the emphasis lies on gentle nasal breathing and reducing the frequency of breaths, which will optimize oxygen intake and carbon dioxide levels in the body. In fact, carbon dioxide in a lower amount is actually essential to equalize the gasses in the bloodstream. This technique aims to improve respiratory efficiency, which can decrease stress responses and foster that sense of calm because it’s stimulating your vagus nerve. Incorporating this into a daily routine is a mindful approach to relaxation, and only a few minutes of consciously breathing as quietly as a mouse might make all the difference.

Forest Bathing

Forest bathing, or to use its original Japanese term “Shinrin-yoku,” is a practice that involves immersing ourselves in a natural environment such as a forest. As opposed to traditional hiking or walking, forest bathing encourages slow, mindful connections with nature. Engaging in sensory experiences like inhaling the natural aromas and observing and listening to the forest can reduce stress and improve overall mood.

Laughter Yoga

We all know the importance of having a good laugh, and the practice of laughter yoga involves deep breathing techniques combined with the right measure of mirth. Unconventional, but there is a lot to be said for the benefits of laughing, such as triggering a greater sense of well-being. We all know how better we feel after laughing, and as a result, having tools that allow us to feel far more relaxed in ourselves like this will invariably have an impact not just on our well-being but our approach to life.

Cold Showers

The cold has long been a tool to help people with physical injuries, but cold showers can be an amazing way to inoculate ourselves from feelings of stress. What was once an unconventional approach is now widely touted as a cure-all for a number of different ailments from depression to fibromyalgia. Cold showers or cold exposure are believed to enhance resilience to stresses by activating the natural stress response mechanisms. The benefits of cold water include increased circulation, releasing endorphins, and reinvigorating the nervous system. Over time, regular exposure to stress like cold showers could contribute to increased tolerance and a greater sense of well-being as a result.

The Best Ways To Treat Yourself After An Accident

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. Accidents of any kind can be life-threatening or life-altering. In addition to the medical treatment you receive, how you bounce back from them overall is critical. The following contributed post is entitled, The Best Ways To Treat Yourself After An Accident.

* * *

Being involved in an accident is hard on both the body and brain. It’s why you need to treat yourself better than ever before during your period of recovery. From a bump on the head and a few bruises to internal damage and potentially lifelong trauma, going through recovery will always be a challenge. However, the more you’re kind to yourself, and do your best to work with the way you’re feeling, the easier this time is going to be. As such, here are some of the best ways to treat yourself after an accident and why they matter so much.

Pexels Image – CC0 Licence

With Compassion

Being compassionate to yourself is so important right now. An accident is going to make you think the worst for the foreseeable future, and could even allow you to slip into mental health troubles, like depression and insomnia.

But the more you’re kind to yourself, and the more you forgive yourself for the little things, the brighter this time is going to be. Reach out for help with being self compassionate if need be, but always remember the kindest words can come from within. You deserve a few of those right now!

Find Support

It’s hard to go through recovery on your own. No matter the level of injury you’re dealing with, make sure you reach out to someone who can help. No problem is too small. Say you’ve been in a car accident, you’ve gotten whiplash, and it certainly wasn’t your fault!

Talk to someone like an car accident lawyer, who can walk you through seeking out compensation and determining where you have a case. A good lawyer knows the emotional turmoil, alongside the need for legal support. If you don’t feel this when working together, look for someone who can really provide it.

By Following Doctor’s Orders

Doctors often know best! As such, make sure you follow their instructions for looking after yourself and your injuries over the next few months. If you ever stop to think ‘maybe I could skip those muscle building exercises this morning’, it’s the start of a slippery slope! Similarly, avoid the foods and drinks they advise against, make sure you spend a good amount of time on your feet, and if they tell you it’s best to spend as much time resting as you can, don’t push yourself back to work too soon!

Taking Your Time

Speaking of pushing yourself, taking your time is important when you’ve had an accident. You need to have a bit of ‘me time’ here, and that means focusing on you and what you can do. It’s not about getting back to making breakfast for the kids, or doing part time shifts at your job as soon as possible – this time is for you. Keep this in mind as you start to feel better.

Treating yourself right can be hard after an accident. You’ve been through something terrible, and that can rebound on your health. Use these tips to refocus.

Maintaining Your Independence As You Get Older: A Guide For Seniors

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. Progressing age is much different conceptually than it used to be. Many seniors are contemplating greater personal independence than in the past. The following contributed post is entitled, Maintaining Your Independence As You Get Older: A Guide For Seniors.

* * *

Image – Pixabay (CC0)

Retirement is meant to deliver your truly golden years. However, getting older does change the body in several ways and subsequently brings several new challenges to our daily lives. Therefore, it’s imperative that you learn to adapt your lifestyle, particularly if you wish to maintain your independence.

Here are some of the key steps that should be taken to ensure a better quality of life can be maintained throughout later life.

Stay Healthy

Nothing in this life is more important than your health. While the aging process will naturally change your body, it’s imperative that you stay healthy. Keeping active will help maintain flexibility, as well as bone and muscle density. Meanwhile, staying hydrated and staying in control of your nutrition are both key factors. A healthier you is a happier you. Crucially, it’ll mean you are in a better position to take care of yourself in retirement.

You should also seek help if you have issues with your mobility, hearing, eyesight, or dexterity.

Find A Suitable Home

Most seniors who are in a position to live independently would rather do this than live in a nursing home. However, you may need to look for an affordable home that features some modified elements to make life more convenient. The Millennia Companies places a heavy focus on development for people like you. Supporting those developments and learning about units that may become available is advised.

You will spend more time at home than ever before during retirement. So, you must not overlook this step.

Accept Help

Maintaining an independent lifestyle needn’t mean ignoring support. We all need a helping hand from time to time. Frankly, gaining a little assistance in certain aspects of life courtesy of in-home care services can open the door to greater freedom. Whether you need daily or weekly visits doesn’t matter. This support will save you from a lot of stress, as well as potentially risky situations.

Better still, you will notice that this allows you to spend more time enjoying your independence and the tasks you love.

Get Your Finances Under Control

The harsh reality is that getting used to reduced revenue is hard. For many, it is the most challenging and stressful part of retirement. If you have savings, making them work harder through investments can work wonders. Crucially, though, you should find ways to reduce your expenses by cutting out unnecessary waste. Experts like Senior Services of America can help you discover entitlements too. Embrace it.

When your finances are under control, it will lift a weight of stress off of your shoulders. This will encourage a better quality of life.

Be Ready To Learn

Finally, if you wish to stay independent in retirement, you must be willing to adapt. You are already tech literate. So, if you’re not already using online banking or telehealth services, now is the time to learn about them. Meanwhile, developing skills that can help you out around the home can have a big impact. Being open to new hobbies and social activities should be on the agenda too.

When combined with the other steps mentioned above, the rewards will be immediately seen. Truly golden years await.

Taking Care Of An Elderly Parent Without Hindering Your Life

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. Each of us will age in this world. As we get older, so do our parents and they considerations for most of us. A major key is balancing everything. The following contributed post is entitled, Taking Care Of An Elderly Parent Without Hindering Your Life.

* * *

Having elderly parents to care for can be a lot, especially if you have a full-time job and children. However, you will be the best person to manage their health and ensure they get the support they need.

Hence, here are some tips to help you care for an elderly parent in need without hindering your own life and commitments.

Photo by Steshka Willems: https://www.pexels.com/photo/shallow-focus-photo-of-man-3018993/

Consider assisted living spaces if you do not have space at home

If you do not have space to adapt your home for elderly parents, it is a good idea to consider putting them in an assisted living space where they attain support and you can rest assured they can be looked after.

Putting your loved ones in assisted senior community living will ensure that they can attain 24/7 assistance and be surrounded by people of their age, which will help them stay well and be sociable.

Visit them often

If you do not have the space to care for your parents in your own home and they do not wish to move to an assisted living space, it makes sense to visit them as often as you can.

Although you might have work and life commitments, if they do not live far away, you could go see them each morning before work. You could make them breakfast and spend 30 minutes with them before getting on with your day. Getting up a bit earlier to do this shouldn’t be an issue if it allows you to ensure they are okay.

They will appreciate it, and it means you can keep an eye on them while they happily live in the comfort of their own home.

Hire caregivers

If you cannot attend to your parents all day in their house due to work commitments, it is a wise idea to hire caregivers.

Caregivers can live with their parents to offer endless support if they need it. If they do not need it but can benefit from caregivers, you can book them to visit your parents several times a day to help with daily chores and meals.

Be patient

Taking care of an elderly loved one can test your patience, which is likely due to not wanting to accept that they need help. Throughout the entirety of your life, you might have known them as being strong and supportive. However, they might not be capable anymore, and they cannot help it; it is just a part of life.

Therefore, it is important to be patient with them and accept what is happening. This will make the care process a lot easier for you both. You will be able to give them the support they need and maintain a good relationship if you are calm and patient regarding their needs.

Be sure to utilize these tips if you have an elderly parent who requires help due to their age or a health condition. It will make your life easier and ensure they are getting the support they need.

The Truth About Why Spirituality Is No Longer Tied To The Church

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. Spirituality is an important part of our personal health both individually and collectively. It has changed over the years though as have most things. The following contributed post is entitled, The Truth About Why Spirituality Is No Longer Tied To The Church.

* * *

Picture Credit: CC0 License

According to a recent Springtide study, as many as 73% of young people between the ages of 13-25 identify as spiritual. Yet, church attendance is lower in our younger generations than in any generation that’s come before them.

This is an odd discrepancy, and it highlights one pressing fact – young people simply don’t tie their spirituality to the church in the same ways that their parents and grandparents do.

With this in mind, something needs to change to keep spirituality alive in a modern audience. And, those changes will most likely come from considering the following reasons for the spirituality/church divide.

Reason 1: A new approach to worship

Young people with limited timeframes and a growing need for connection are increasingly finding alternative ways to make room for spirituality in their lives. This is a requirement that online sermons have been attempting to fulfill since the pandemic but, with just 13% of young people reporting a feeling of joy after an online sermon, further steps may also be necessary.

Church-led community initiatives and college-based religious representatives seem to be especially effective in this sense. A focus on personal connections forged with one key religious leader, rather than entire congregations, also seems to help young people feel more supported, and more impassioned in their religious practices.

Reason 2: The age divide

65% of people aged 65 or over attend weekly church sermons. Churches, therefore, face the challenge of appealing to older audiences and attracting a new generation.

This can be a difficult balance to strike, and it’s one that many churches are failing to achieve. Luckily, priests like Father Adam Park are proof that this divide needn’t be as restrictive as it seems. Through a focus on appealing to both audiences, he’s managing to bring a whole new generation to his church. A similar approach, which respects tradition while also making way for the new, could see other churches enjoying similar levels of success.

Picture Credit: CC0 License

Reason 3: Changing institutions

It’s also important to note that age-old church-institutions like marriage are simply no longer as relevant to young people as they were to previous generations, and may even feel restrictive to individuals who continue to be left outside of these institutional practices.

Equally, far from requiring church groups and other internalized focuses that have traditionally worked alongside the institution, many young people are calling for the church to contribute towards modern concerns like climate change. And this needs to happen outside of institutional confines.

An ongoing shift to more inclusive marriage will perhaps be the biggest help here, but pastors and priests could also benefit from listening to the concerns of young people (which are largely led by environmental worries), as well as continuing to prioritize age-old church concerns like local charity.

The proof is out there – young people are still turning to spirituality in their droves. But only time will tell whether the church can continue to play the same role in that focus that it’s fulfilled for hundreds of years.