Spiritual Practices & Mental Health: Finding a Path That Truly Supports You

Hello everyone,

Today, I’d like to talk about a topic I’m deeply passionate about: the importance of choosing spiritual practices that are safe, supportive, and aligned with each person’s unique needs and nervous system capacity.

In today’s world, where spiritual practices are more visible and accessible than ever, many people are turning to practices like meditation, energy healing, breathwork, and chakra alignment to support their well-being. These tools can be beautiful, transformative, and deeply supportive.

But for those navigating conditions like OCD, PMDD, or complex trauma, the spiritual path can sometimes feel more overwhelming than healing.

In fact, some practices—while appearing to awaken spiritual senses or heighten awareness—may actually be creating dysregulation in the nervous system. What feels like activation or awakening might sometimes be overstimulation, especially when done without grounding or without attuning to the body’s current capacity.

So how do we engage with spirituality in a way that truly supports us—without bypassing our mental health or pushing our nervous systems into overload?

Let’s talk about it.

🌿 Every Journey Is Unique (Even If It Doesn’t Look Like It Online)

One of the most common patterns I see in healing communities is comparison. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we should be doing what someone else is doing—especially when their practice seems to be "working."

Social media is full of spiritual routines, intuitive downloads, and transformation stories. While these can be inspiring, they can also create subtle pressure: “Maybe I should meditate longer, open my third eye, or chant mantras like that person.”

But here’s the truth: every journey is unique. Our nervous systems, life experiences, and soul lessons shape what supports us—and what overwhelms us.

What’s deeply healing for one person might be destabilizing for another.

🌀 Why Some Spiritual Practices Can Trigger Overwhelm

For people navigating OCD, PMDD, trauma, or heightened anxiety, certain spiritual practices—especially when practiced without proper grounding—can actually increase nervous system dysregulation.

🌪 1. Spiritual Practices Can Bypass the Body

Many mainstream spiritual traditions emphasize “transcending the mind” or “rising above” difficult emotions. While these intentions can sound beautiful, they sometimes encourage people to dissociate from their bodies — especially if they haven’t yet learned how to safely be in their bodies. For someone with trauma, this can unintentionally mimic the very experience of dissociation or emotional shutdown.

🧠 2. The Nervous System Needs Safety First

The nervous system is wired to protect us. If a spiritual practice demands stillness, silence, or surrender before the body feels safe, the system can interpret that as a threat. Instead of peace, the result may be hypervigilance, panic, or shutdown. In essence: the practice becomes too much, too fast.

⚠️ 3. “Universal” Practices Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All

Spirituality is often taught through a universal lens — “this works for everyone.” But in reality, we each have unique nervous system wiring, life experiences, and trauma histories. What’s soothing for one person may be activating for another. Without acknowledging this, people can end up forcing themselves into practices that are misaligned with their system's current capacity.

🌱 So What’s the Alternative?

Grounding Before Expansion:

Spiritual growth isn’t about pushing past your limits. It’s about building safety within.

If your system is still in survival mode—or hasn’t yet learned how to regulate—it makes perfect sense that certain practices feel like “too much.” That’s why the foundation of any meaningful spiritual practice must be safety, presence, and embodiment.

Start by Informing yourself before trying different techniques, and take time to explore what truly feels right for you. It might be somatic exercises, breathwork, meditation, Reiki healing — or something else entirely.

The most important thing is to go slowly enough that you can observe how your body responds, and adjust accordingly. 😊

✨ Spiritual Practices Should Bring You Home

At their core, spiritual practices are not about transcendence or perfection. They’re about returning—to yourself, your truth, your inner steadiness.

When used with discernment, they can be powerful allies on your mental health journey. But they are not one-size-fits-all. Your path is sacred, and it deserves to be honored at your own pace, in your own rhythm.

Remember, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Consulting with a therapist, a trauma-informed guide, or someone who truly understands both mental health and spirituality can help you find the tools that best support your unique journey. Having someone walk beside you can make all the difference in choosing practices that support healing rather than disrupt your balance.

💛 Final Thoughts

Your healing journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. In fact, it shouldn’t.

There’s nothing wrong with adjusting a practice—or stepping away from one completely—if it doesn’t serve your well-being. Your nervous system is wise. Your body is not a barrier to spiritual growth—it’s the doorway to it.

Let your practice be a space where you feel held, not judged. Empowered, not overwhelmed. Seen, not compared.

You are already enough. And your journey, in all its uniqueness, is sacred.

With love and light,

Giuliana

Spirituality should bring you home to yourself—gently, lovingly, and truthfully