Wairua, sleep, and health: the important links between spirituality and sleep

Publicly released:
New Zealand
Duality - taha wairua and taha kikokiko. Credit: Deanna Haami.
Duality - taha wairua and taha kikokiko. Credit: Deanna Haami.

Most scientific framings of sleep 'problems' omit Māori perspectives on spirituality and wellbeing, but new research shows that including spiritual explanations of sleep phenomena would allow a more holistic approach to health. A Massey University team studied the links between wairua and sleep with nine Māori interviewees. The participants connected spiritual and physical states (taha wairua and taha kikokiko) to sleep and wakefulness respectively, as well as to one another. Through sleep and dreams they also gained spiritual guidance, opportunities to learn and prepare for future challenges, and a sense of stability, peace, and purpose. The researchers say that incorporating Indigenously informed models of sleep into clinical practise could help Māori in accessing healthcare.

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Wairua beings
Wairua beings
Journal/
conference:
Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online
Research:Paper
Organisation/s: Massey University
Funder: This work was supported by Health Research Council of New Zealand: [Grant Number 18/621].
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