What is Spiritual Hygiene and Are You Practicing it Enough?
Source: @hannahbronfman
Just as dust accumulates in the home or bacteria accumulates on the skin, negative energies, or life forces, can accumulate in our lives and requires attention and practice in order to keep it clean. Spiritual hygiene affects how we feel, how we move, how we eat, how we look, how other people perceive us, and how much stress we have in our lives. So yeah, it's kinda a big deal, no? Imagine if you go two weeks without showering; other people will probably start to notice, and you'll just feel blah. The same things happen when you don't cleanse your spiritual energy enough too.
Now I could go into a lot of woo-hoo ish about how negativity can stick to auras, but for the sake of keeping it relatable, all you need to know is that keeping up with a consistent spiritual practice allows us to access our most authentic selves. Accessing our most authentic selves will have the biggest impact on our overall health, wellbeing, and life. You brush your teeth two times a day and you do the dishes when they're dirty, so why not have go-to practices to keep up the type of hygiene that affects us the most?
6 Ways to Practice Spiritual Hygiene
1. Be more grounded in your physical self
In order to focus on the spiritual realm of our truest self, we must first feel grounded in our physical bodies. Yoga was invented and practiced by ancient spiritual practitioners for this exact reason; you must be connected to body, mind, and spirit, in order to access the others. Physical activity helps us to connect to our bodies, so add some yoga into your daily routine.
You can also try breathing exercises or grounding for similar results. The point isn't to move more or burn more calories; the point is to move more mindfully. Notice the way your body and mind change as you move, and focus on breath. Oh, and be nice to yourself already!! Love your body for what it's able to do instead of how it does or doesn't look, and you'll feel more connected to it.
2. Cut off toxic relationships
Whether it's a selfish friend, a competitive coworker, or an insecure significant other, we often keep up toxic relationships in our lives because it seems easier to deal with it then to cut them off (the drama!). But here's the thing: every human you come in contact with is an exchange of energy. Either they're bringing you more positive energy, or they're draining your good energy. Relationships will shift when you start becoming your authentic self because you realize what energy just isn't worth it.
If there are people in your life that are unavoidable, like a toxic coworker in an otherwise positive work environment you love, then do your best to not give them your energy. Don't think about them, talk about them, and limit your exposure to them as much as possible. When they come to mind or engage with you, mentally wish them love and then move on. The actions of other people will only affect you and bother you if you let it.
3. Have a go-to ritual to make shifts
Whenever you're transitioning between different energies (like wrapping up active productivity during the work day and transitioning into relaxation mode in the evenings), have a ritual to train your brain to recognize the shift. Try lighting palo santo or a candle, changing clothes, or even making a cup of tea for the different energies you're trying to tap into. Try peppermint or green tea when you need more active energy, and chamomile when you want to be more relaxed. Rituals don't have to be complicated. In fact, the simple ones are not only the ones that will stick, but will make the biggest difference.
4. Eat based on what your body is telling you
When we're practicing spiritual hygiene, we don't eat foods from a place of "should" or "shouldn't," "bad" or "good." Actually listen to your body's queues instead of ignoring them. For example, don't eat until you're too full, don't restrict yourself when you want to indulge, and identify when you're emotional and fix the source, rather than eating to fill a void. If you're tired or having trouble focusing, ask your body if it needs a break, a walk around the block, or more nourishing foods, rather than mindlessly chugging another cup of coffee.
5. Experiment with ancient practices
If you're ready to get extra spiritual, experiment with practices to find the one that you connect with the most. Try out crystals, sage, or salt baths, which are all ancient techniques for cleansing negative energies. I say this all the time, but the power does not necessarily come from the rituals, but your belief in the ritual. Our minds are more powerful than we'll ever realize, and these ancient techniques are simply tools to tap into all the miraculous things your mind can do. Find the practice you connect with most and then believe in it.
6. Chill out
But really. In a world that worships hacks and high-speed internet, you have to work at slowing down. If you're feeling like you never have enough time, it's only because you're constantly thinking of the past or present, rather than feeling the current moment you're in. Don't forget that feeling frazzled, overwhelmed, or short on time are all signs you have not been prioritizing spiritual hygiene. Meditation is a great way to slow down and be more mindful, but feeling pleasure more often is the easiest and most effective way to just live slower. Laugh more, notice every flower and sunset, and focus on the moment you're in like the only purpose of living it is to enjoy it (because, well, it is).
How do you practice spiritual hygiene?
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