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Thinking about this topic, we can start talking about the meaning of life. According to the author Viktor Frankl the meaning of life is finding a purpose or meaning in life that motivates you and taking responsibility for yourself and other human beings. Moreover, the meaning of life may not only differ from one person to another, but we ourselves may have a different life purpose at each stage of life. The important thing is to try to visualize how better life is when you believe you are part of a greater entity. This can encourage you to get up in the morning and fight for what you want and what you believe.

Spirituality

Although for many, spirituality and religiosity are synonymous, their definitions are different. Spirituality is defined as “the personal quest to understand final questions about life, about its meaning, about relationships with the sacred or transcendent, which may or may not lead to the development of religious practices or formation of religious communities”. Religiosity is defined as “the extent to which an individual believes, follows, and practices a religion, whether it be organizational (participation in church, religious temple or church group affiliation) or non-organizational (praying, reading books, watching religious television programs). Also, spiritual health has different definitions in various cultures.

It is important to remember that there is a need for physical and emotional care (check it out “Mental health” topic) for all people involved in the transplantation process, before and after kidney transplantation. It is necessary to consider cultural differences and adaptations experienced, so spirituality and religiosity will be indispensable factors in your journey. Religion can represent strength and comfort in coping with any disease. In addition, it can give you a better perception of quality of life, and emotional/mental control.

  • Although the mechanisms are still not fully understood, research points out that religiosity is associated with better psychological health, greater social support, better physical and cognitive functioning, better health behavior and greater adherence to transplant.
  • Research also shows that spirituality can help kidney transplant recipients cope with the transplantation process, as well as in overcoming negative feelings and suffering.

How am I doing?

  • If you consider religion/spirituality important in your life, try to identify your level of hope and spirituality;
  • Identify the rituals, traditions of your religion and which ones you favor and how observing or performing these rituals affects your daily life. This observation exercise can give you a hand in observing how you are doing.

What can I do?

  • Actively hope. The experience of falling ill and the transplantation journey, when faced with hope, causes an individual to put his energy toward the expectation of renewal of health and spiritual well-being.
  • Use your spirituality and religiosity, often represented by spiritual beliefs, as tools for support and strength.
  • Get closer to your God* or to your place of your worship** and its members. This may result in greater emotional and social support.

*“God”: It does not matter what kind of religion you follow (Christian, Judaism, Islam, Muslin, Buddhist, Presbyterian, Orthodox, and so on), keep your spiritual fire burning.

**“Place of worship”: is a specially designed structure or space where individuals or a group of people such as a congregation come to perform acts of devotion, veneration, or religious study. We use these words as synonym for temples, churches, synagogues, mosques, chapels, parish, sanctuary, shrine, oratory, and so on.

  • Ask for visits from the members of the place of your worship. Visiting with others with similar beliefs may help you to feel better. Support may also come through joint prayer which may promote emotional control, acceptance, understanding, and strength.

How can I do it?

  • Try to increase or maintain your level of hope and spirituality. Make a list of things that brings in your spiritual thoughts and emotion of hope and include them in a routine that fits your needs.
  • Religious or spiritual practices, including prayer, liturgy and traditions are a way of keeping you connected to God or the entity you believe in.
  • Ask for support from the community members of the place of your worship, maybe in the form of prayers at a distance, or in person visits to reaffirm your faith. Religion promotes social interaction and support between family members and society, so, you will benefit from this aspect of religion as well.

You can find ways to be more spiritual every day, incorporating your spirituality into everything you do. For example, you can incorporate some practices, such as meditation (even if is only for a minute), spiritual reading, practicing gratitude, spending time in nature, and practicing mindful breathing exercises into your daily routine.

More Information

This section was written by Dr. Daniela Massierer (BSc(PT), MSc, PhD; Postdoctoral fellow at Centre for Health Outcomes Research (CORE)-RI-MUHC).And reviewed by Nicolas Fernandez (patient partner); Rosalie Langevin (patient partner); AND by our research team.

References

  1. Zaben F, Khalifa DA, Sehlo MG, et al. Religious involvement and health in dialysis patients in Saudi Arabia. J Relig Health. 2015;54(2):713-30.
  2. Borges DC, Furino FO, Barbieri MC, et al. The social network and support of kidney transplants. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(4):e59519.
  3. Bravin AM, Trettene ADS, Andrade LGM, Popim RC. Benefits of spirituality and/or religiosity in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: an integrative review. Rev Bras Enferm.