Can we ever truly find inner peace?
In times like these, the news is filled with a lot of negative emotions and our surroundings can sometimes be chaotic, it can seem overwhelming and stressful to be trapped in the house, full of uncertainty. Uncertainty as to when there might be a vaccine for the Coronavirus, uncertainty of when the quarantine will be over and what will become of humanity during this time of “new normal.”
But, when you’re having those moments of uncertainty and anxiety, it’s important to realize that no matter what’s going on outside peace and tranquility come from within and they can be found even in the most challenging times when you’re at your wits end.
It’s important to make an effort to find this inner peace as it’s a way of helping you to manage your stress before your stress manages you. To answer my earlier question, I do believe that inner peace is possible and that there are many ways to achieve it. In this post, I’m going to talk about 5 ways for you to cultivate that inner peace, calm and sanctuary that you’re looking for. Read on to find out all about it.
Meditation & Yoga
As the name implies, inner peace starts from within. And engaging in practices that help you to connect your mind and body and self-reflect will lead you down the path to inner peace.
Meditation is known all throughout the world as being one of the best ways to calm the mind and help you focus on your breathing so that you can stay present in the moment and also touch the strength that lies inside. Yoga helps you do those things as well.When you engage in yoga and meditation practices you begin to feel balanced from within and they help you to reflect on those things happening around you without being consumed by them.
If you’re beginning a meditation practice or learning yoga, consider starting with a guided meditation session or yoga class on YouTube. That’s one of the easiest ways to start because you don’t have to make a big commitment or spend any money. You can find videos that will teach you breathing techniques that can help you calm down when you find yourself stressing out and you may notice that with regular practice you’re not as anxious and overwhelmed.
There’s also tons of apps that can show you the basics of meditation and yoga. Which is convenient so that you can practice anywhere.
Routine
Routine = structure and structure = peace. When you have a routine even when you’re stuck at home, it helps life to feel normal which helps you cope with the challenges that life sends your way. Waking up or going to bed at the same time, having your workout each day, and reading for 20 minutes every day are a few examples of tasks you can incorporate into your day to create a morning routine or bedtime routine to help you continue to have a sense of peace and serenity.
For me, mornings can be a bit rough as I’m a night owl by nature. So in order to help my mornings go smoother, one of the things that I’m doing is cultivating a nighttime routine. Having the routine helps me to get into a groove - it signals to my body and mind that its time to go to bed and because part of my routine is getting my clothes together for the next day, I in effect give myself some extra time each morning which contributes to me feeling peaceful, not overwhelmed.
Nature
I believe that nature is one of God’s greatest creations and it also happens to be a great stress reliever. One of the wonderful things about nature is that it helps you connect to something greater than yourself. And having that connection helps you feel gratitude and envelops you with a sense of inner peace.
You can tap into the power of nature by taking a 30 minute walk each day. There’s an extra added bonus of being active along getting a breath of fresh air; both of which will work to reduce your stress and anxiety levels.
Having that time in nature can be a prelude to having a tech disconnect. The blue light and distraction brought to you by your various screens is relieved when you’re in nature.
If you’re not able to go outside, consider opening up your windows for some fresh air or looking outside your windows to see the sky and the trees.
Watch Your News Intake
The news is one of those things that’s tricky. While it’s important to be informed about what’s happening around the world; it’s also important to guard yourself against the flood of negativity that often accompanies the news.
Binge watching the news (with its often alarming stories) can easily ramp up your stress and anxiety levels and leave you feeling overwhelmed. Try limiting your news consumption to once a day or a few times a week. That way you’re not consumed by the things that are portrayed on the news allowing you to relax your mind.
In addition to minimizing your exposure to the traditional gloom and doom news media, you can also actively seek out positive news stories. There are quite a few news aggregators that focus on the positive. One that I really like is CNN’s Good Stuff because they send you a weekly e-mail full of uplifting news stories.
Read
As I’ve said before, reading can transport you to other places. It’s a great way to clear your mind and distract yourself from your surroundings when they seem overwhelming or negative. Think of reading as an alternative to staring at a screen or scrolling through social media. Besides giving you a window into the world of others, depending on what you’re reading, it can help with the management of emotions and stress relief.
When you read a book, you are improving your brain function, which serves to improve your mental well-being. Whether it be an educational book, self-help book, or fiction as long as it’s a genre that you enjoy that’s not overly morose, peace and calm should come your way.
There you have it – 5 things that you can do to decrease your stress and increase your inner peace. It’s all about making time.
Let’s talk. What do you do to find inner peace when you’re stressed? Let me know in the comments section.
Cassandra Martin-Himmons is a trainer, wellness coach and consultant who believes in empowering her clients and providing the tools that they need to make positive changes in their lives to manage their stress and increase their self-care. In her spare time, she enjoys papercrafting, volunteering and travel. Connect with her on Instagram or Linked/In
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