ABSTRACT

There is a serene and settled majesty to woodland scenery that enters into the soul and delights and elevates it, and fills it with noble inclinations.1

Spirituality is understood to be a broad construct that includes many dimensions including serenity. The concept of serenity and its relationships to spirituality, health and well-being first appeared in the nursing literature in the mid-1960s. Serenity has been defined as a spiritual state that decreases stress and promotes optimal health,2 a sustained state of inner peace,3 and a universal health experience related to quality of life.4 Boyd-Wilson et al. describe serenity as a spiritual quality that involves inner peace despite vicissitudes and even feeling, thus a person can feel grief, yet be serene.5 According to Roberts and Aspy,6 certain factors have been associated with the serene including inner haven, acceptance, belonging, trust, perspective, contentment, present centeredness, beneficence, and cognitive restructuring.