Illustration by Shenuka Marie Edith Corea/The Gazelle

Our reality is connected to the way we think, and in today’s reality there is often a disconnect between mind, body and soul.

In our incredibly blessed, yet undeniably hectic lives as NYU Abu Dhabi students, it can be difficult to prioritize something non-visual like our spiritual health, and one might need to constantly remind themselves to integrate spiritual health care into their lives. Yet a balanced connection between mind, body and soul is key for optimum physical and spiritual health.

Creating this connection and finding that balance can be through many channels: meditation, prayer, laughter, meaningful connections, dialogues and service.

Working on spiritual health can allow us to find wisdom, meaning and purpose through introspection and connection to a greater power; it pushes us to think beyond our own existence and gain perspective in the grand scheme of things.

Although these concepts may seem simple or often, how often do we actually pay attention to the state of our spiritual health or make the time to rebalance? I truly believe in the power of prayer and have seen miracles happen in times when I’ve been helpless. But even if you're just tracking your thoughts and feeling gratitude, you can still find refuge in developing spiritual health.

There are many opportunities and spaces for building on spiritual health on campus. The multi-faith room is a serene space open to all, while REACH’s monthly Mindful Monday’s or — shameless self-promotion alert — Salon’s bi-weekly gatherings are opportunities not only to take a break and feel uplifted but also to gain tools for spiritual wellbeing overtime. The Interfaith Committee and the Office of Intercultural Education and Spiritual Life are also always looking to serve the spiritual needs of the student body, and they love feedback and input.

I believe that spiritual health development can have a ripple effect in our community. It allows us to transform our often fragmented lives into a cohesive whole.