A significant part of my healing journey and spiritual path has been finding ways to to feel connected daily. I quickly discovered that overcommitting myself to lengthy or expensive routines is unrealistic for my lifestyle. As my awareness expanded and I had the desire to evolve, I certainly knew what things I didn’t want to be spending my time doing but I didn’t know what to do instead. It doesn’t have to be difficult, expensive or time-consuming to have a daily spiritual practice.

1.) Prayer

This isn’t necessarily in the religious sense. I happened to start my spiritual path as a Christian but have since let go of religion altogether. That being said, I still pray to my Higher Power. Prayer can look like pre recorded verses (such as the serenity prayer or the Lord’s prayer) but it can also just be an open dialogue. I find that talking to my Higher Power openly and honestly as I would a friend or loved one has been enormously beneficial for my spirituality.

2.) Spending Time Outside

Being outside is surprisingly therapeutic. Whether it’s just sitting on a bench or going for a walk, being outdoors can help to improve your mood and well-being. Walking is good for cardiovascular health and I like to pray to my Higher Power at the same time. This has helps me to relieve stress and anxiety, to gain clarity and stimulate my creativity. It’s easy to forget that we are not separate from nature and very tempting to stay inside. When it is possible and safe (weather and air quality permitting) to go outside then even 15 minutes can make a difference. This may be a no-brainer but in the past I have gone days at a time without intentionally going outside (being in the car doesn’t count!).

3.) Meditation

There are many different ways to meditate. At the end of the day, it’s a practice of presence that is the purpose of meditation. Historically, I would put off meditating because I felt like I didn’t have time to just sit and do nothing. That was until I learned about ‘walking meditation’. This simply means being present while walking, or doing pretty much anything for that matter. At the end of the day, meditation is not about “clearing your mind” so much as a practice of simply being present. Another thing that has helped me to be more present is the 5-4-3-2-1 method. It has helped me to get out of my head and come back to the present moment. It has shown me in real time that anxiety is the equivalent to living your life in the future! And that it’s okay to be here now (shout out to Ram Dass).

4.) Journaling

There’s something about writing instead of speaking that just hits different. I am a daily journal-er and address all my entries to my Higher Power or the Ascended Master that I’ve chosen to work with. (Or maybe he chose me?). This is just another way that I can initiate an open and honest dialogue with Spirit. Journaling has helped me to have many healing breakthroughs ,revelations, and to discover more about who I am (and who I am NOT).

5.) Music

This could mean making the music yourself or simply listening to it. I still enjoy Christian worship music very much but have recently discovered some other types of music that have a spiritual element and are not Christian. There are many genres to try such as orchestral/instrumental pieces, Gregorian chant, or tribal drumming . Listening to music engages different parts of the brain and can induce spiritual experiences or frisson/spiritual chills. Frisson is the phenomenon of chills or goosebumps that come from a piece of music -or from any other aesthetic experience. ( https://www.discovery.com/science/Getting-Chills-from-Music). ---

In summary, these are some of the simplest ways to incorporate spirituality into your daily routine. It can be difficult to incorporate a daily spiritual practice with a busy lifestyle but it doesn’t have to be difficult, time consuming or expensive! It’s tempting to put it off because you don’t have the time or money for a retreat, to go to church or a 12 step meeting. The act of intentionally trying to connect to Spirit is enough.

5 Easy Spiritual Practices You Can Do Daily to Feel More Connected