Spirituality and wellness and diabetes

“Spirituality can be a powerful coping strategy for persons with debilitating health conditions such as diabetes.”1 Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a chronic illness and living with with can sometimes feel like a grind. You may not feel well physically. You may be dealing with a new medication regimen. You may feel fear and sadness about having to make changes to your diet. It’s no surprise that many people with T2DM are likely to develop depression at some point. This is why Halebee’s personal counselors can talk with you about how spirituality can make a positive difference in your life. We are talking about a spirituality can be as simple as walking in nature, to as profound as deep as religious experiences.

Spiritual and religious well-being may help improve quality of life.

It is not known for sure how spirituality and religion are related to health. Some studies show that spiritual or religious beliefs and practices create a positive mental attitude that may help a patient feel better and improve the well-being of family caregivers. Spirituality and wellness may help improve health and quality of life in the following ways:

  • Decrease anxiety, depression, anger, and discomfort.
  • Decrease the sense of isolation (feeling alone) and the risk of suicide.
  • Decrease alcohol and drug abuse.
  • Lower blood pressure and the risk of heart disease.
  • Help the patient adjust to the effects of cancer and its treatment.
  • Increase the ability to enjoy life during cancer treatment.
  • Give a feeling of personal growth as a result of living with cancer.
  • Increase positive feelings, including:
    • Hope and optimism.
    • Freedom from regret.
    • Satisfaction with life.
    • A sense of inner peace.
  • Spiritual and religious well-being may also help a patient live longer.

Spiritual distress may also negatively affect health.

The opposite of spirituality and wellness, spiritual distress may make it harder for patients to cope with T2DM, cancer, and treatment. Health care providers may encourage patients to meet with experienced spiritual or religious leaders to help deal with their spiritual issues. This may improve their health, quality of life, and ability to cope.

References

  1. Source: Spirituality in Cancer Care (PDQ®)–Patient Version
  2. Onyishi, C. N., Ilechukwu, L. C., Victor-Aigbodion, V., & Eseadi, C. (2021). Impact of spiritual beliefs and faith-based interventions on diabetes management. World journal of diabetes, 12(5), 630–641. https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v12.i5.630