Staying healthy shouldn't be a high wire act

Congratulations to Nik Wallenda on his high wire feat in Chicago. I can’t imagine being in his shoes, but it got me thinking about the nagging fear that consistent, reliable health is on shaky footing.

Could you ever imagine walking a tightrope high off the ground blindfolded with no net to catch you? One false step and…

That’s a popular take on staying healthy: one wrong move and… Any approach to wellness can be full of angst for those who feel it’s all about walking a fine line. The question is: How do we stay grounded amidst the barrage of health worries and warnings? Walking a spiritual path may be the best answer.

News, advertisements and water-cooler talk have encouraged incessant contemplation of ill health and the alarm that every malady the world has to offer is coming at us, ready to knock us over. Fear for our welfare is a conditioned response educated in our culture, unleashing high anxiety when news about disease and contagion saturates public attention.

Caring for one’s well-being is not so much a precarious balancing act as it is a poised mindset. Sure, it’s smart to live sensibly, eat properly, and avoid unnecessary risk-taking like walking a tightrope hundreds of feet in the air. But beyond that is developing a healthful mental stance that goes a long way in keeping us secure and from falling into a state of panic about our health.

“I will gain a balance on the side of good, my true being. This alone gives me the forces of God wherewith to overcome all error,” wrote Mary Baker Eddy. I like to think of error as anything unhealthful and scary. Perhaps she had been thinking about this statement in her Bible, “Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity.”

A balanced life for me is less matter-thinking or body-fearing and more cultivating of immaterial qualities. I like this list of five spiritual concepts that facilitate optimum health:

Prayer

Unconditional love

Forgiveness

Meaning

Spiritual practice

Affirming our integrity - our soundness amid the salvo of suggestions that would put us off balance - is a smart play. Success comes as we acquire a steadier outlook that spiritual living brings into view.

Life with a spiritual emphasis provides a stabilizing influence, a life-line to rational thought and peace of mind which enhances a healthy experience. It reminds me of a 65 mph trip I had down a 5,500 foot zip line some time ago. No matter how intense things looked from my harness falling 1,230 feet, I knew that line kept me safe. Trusting this security stopped any anxiousness and allowed me to enjoy the ride.

As the conversations about health concerns intensify, the spiritual factors that uphold wellness go a long way in helping us find a sure footing in our quest for healthier living.

Steven Salt is a writer and blogger about health, spirituality and thought. He is a Christian Science practitioner, curious about everything. You can follow him on Twitter @SaltSeasoned.