Learn to live in the moment
Humans have been searching for inner peace for thousands of years and we have not stopped the quest to conquer the mental state of true serenity. Most people are constantly pushing themselves to do more. And the only thing many of them are achieving is burnout, or at least overwhelm when finding inner peace is what they need.
Essentially, inner peace is the absence of stress and anxiety from their life. It is being fully present in the now, not the past or the future. Buddhism, is the fourth largest religion in the world it began in India and is followed by 520 million people worldwide.
Achieving inner peace
So much of their teaching is based upon tradition, beliefs and spiritual practices including mindfulness and meditation. You too can have more inner peace following these same practices.
While finding inner peace may be hard to come by in this day and age of constant stimulation. And continuous spikes of cortisol and adrenaline (our fight or flight physiological reactions). There are ways to obtain a state of serenity. Below are five ways to boost your inner peace:
Exercise for the mind
Table of Contents
- increasing your endorphins
- acting as meditation in motion
- improving your mood
Doing some form of exercise is one of the best ways to change your mental state to one of positivity. You don’t have to run a marathon to reap the benefits of physical activity either! Any type of movement will provide you with a greater sense of peace.
Yoga and breathing Techniques
This can include practicing yoga and the breathing techniques that go along with the poses. This is one 
of the best ways to relieve stress and anxiety and to help ground you. Also going for a walk-in nature and appreciating the sight and smell of the flowers and the sounds of birds.
If you prefer you can go to the ocean and to listen and watch the waves crashing on the beach.
However, you may enjoy a more vigorous workout like working out at a gym, or taking a spin class. Just do what works best for you for peace and happiness!
Meditation and peace of mind
According to medicinenet.com, a simple technique practiced for as few as 10 minutes per day can help you control stress, decrease anxiety. Also it can improve cardiovascular health, and achieve a greater capacity for relaxation.
Meditation produces a state of deep internal relaxation, regardless of what is going on in your life externally.
Creating Healthy Boundaries
Boundaries help us take care of ourselves physically, emotionally and spiritually. Healthy boundaries help us maintain a positive sense of self, trusting who we are and not allowing others to define us.
Psychology Today explains that the reason we have loosely defined, or unhealthy boundaries is because we want to be accommodating, helpful, are unable to say no out of guilt, and want to be liked. When we take the steps to identify our own desires and put our values first, we are that much closer to inner peace.
Connecting with other people
A Harvard study done by Dr. Robert Waldinger suggests that “meaningful relationships are a prescription for better emotional, mental and physical health.”
There has been over eight decades of research, among 700 men who were teenagers in 1930s (and over 60 men who are still participating in their 90’s) which shows that:
- social connections appear to be good for health
- loneliness appears to be toxic
- relationship quality matters
- good relationships appear to protect our brains
There are a number of ways to strengthen connection to others. Such as making new friends by volunteering or joining a club, or taking a class. And it’s important to work on maintaining and improving existing relationships with family and friends.
The benefits of writing in a journal
Daily writing can help with organizing and processing your thoughts, clearing your mind and assist in problem solving. When you feel angry or frustrated just the process of writing things down can be freeing and therapeutic.
Journaling can act as an emotional release and to finding inner peace . Also it can help you obtain clarity and rid your of negative thoughts. It’s also good to look back sometimes and see how far you’ve come in your life.
In fact, a study published in a 2011 Psychological Science journal noted that writing down your thoughts and throwing away the paper can clear the mind and a clear mind, is a mind at peace.
I know a number of people that have used this process. it’s been especially beneficial when they’ve had trouble forgiving someone. Or when they are unable to express their feelings with someone.
The path to inner peace
Finding inner peace can also have a positive ripple effect, spreading peace to others. When we are acting from a place of serenity, we are kind, generous, patient, and compassionate. We are also more understanding and less likely to judge others or take offense.
When we find joy in connecting with others, they are more likely to react to us in a similar way. When we find inner peace, we help contribute to a better world!
