NAMI’s Mental Health Faith Council held their annual mental health training November 21 at the Olivet Lutheran Church in Sylvania with Anne Kertz Kernion as the keynote speaker.  The theme this year was “The Science of Spirituality and Self-Care” and was tailored for members and leaders of faith communities as well as professionals working in social service areas, families, caregivers, and peers. 

Information was shared regarding the way that our habits and practices change our brains and the way they process.  Our brains change from our actions and thoughts, including our spiritual practices.

Anne shared 5 spiritual practices which have been shown to improve the way our brains function and deal with stress better:

1. Meditation – this involves letting go of all thoughts and paying careful attention to just being; this triggers the relaxation response and releases stress.  Practicing meditation increases the number of folds in our brains.  We make fewer mistakes if we meditate regularly, and it may slow or even reverse aging brains.  One group that was studied practiced regular meditation for three weeks. The result was that after three weeks of regular meditation they reported that they experienced less pain and negativity.
2. Mindfulness – the most powerful way to shape our brains, this involves accepting and paying attention to our thoughts without judging. A life lived on autopilot and distraction impedes brain function. Studies show there is no such thing as multi-tasking.  In reality when we think we are multi-tasking, our brains actually have to switch back and forth from various tasks and we lose efficiency.  When we practice mindfulness, it quiets the negative default mode network and we are less reactive.  We are more accepting, grateful, attentive, and focused.
3. Gratitude – living as if nothing is promised to us and recognizing our blessings and privileges is another spiritual practice Anne highlighted. One suggestion is to make a habit of going to bed with thoughts of gratitude, which will release dopamine and retrain our brains. Cultivating the power of gratitude results in significant health benefits including decreased anxiety and depression, and increased sleep and satisfaction in relationships.
4. Compassion/Service – helping others triggers pleasure in our brains and reduces stress and anxiety.  It builds our cognitive reserves.  Individuals who engage in serving others and showing compassion experience fewer aches and pains, are less lonely or depressed, and have better immune and overall health.
5. Relationships – social contact protects our cognitive functioning. Even just having acquaintances at stores or businesses you may frequent increases our functioning.  Studies show that individuals who regularly attend church services are healthier than those who do not. Relationships are essential to well being.

For more information about Anne’s work regarding the neuroscience of spirituality and self care, please visit her website at http://www.cardsbyanne.com/bookanne.html