Finding Inner Peace
Inner peace is about living a contented life.
Finding Inner peace can be a struggle. Most often it is because we are not clear about what makes us happy. So pursuing your dreams can be a struggle. It avoids overthinking, over-analyzing everything, or regret. This feeling is about finding a way to be in a constant state of happiness beyond the potential stress life brings you. It is about being confident and calm in ones-self and the world despite diversity or change. Here are seven powerful exercises to try to find inner peace:
Visualization
Visualize your future both negatively and positively. This exercise helps you to prepare for uncomfortable situations as life is not nor will always be comfortable. Being uncomfortable is okay and a normal part of life. Dealing with discomfort allows you to make better life decisions and see the world from a different perspective.
Visualization helps to prepare you physically and emotionally for rewarding and challenging life situations. When you can visualize your rewards or consequences, you simply make better decisions.
Give Yourself a Break
Anytime you want to accomplish a goal, lower your expectations slightly. Don’t expect too much on the first day. Give yourself time to adjust and overcome any issues that may come up.
Surround Yourself with Love and Happiness
Spend time with people and things you truly enjoy. Limit your negative thinking as well as negative thoughts from others. Keep in mind that you won’t be happy 24/7.
Count Down from Five
When you feel anxious, angry, or you feel out of control, regain your control and inner peace by counting down from five. To do this, use the environment you are currently in to accomplish this. Use each of your senses to identify things. For example, identify five things you see, four things you can touch, three things you hear, two things you smell, and one thing you can taste.
Practice Coherent Breathing
This exercise helps to de-stress and unwind when life is too stressful, or you need a boost of energy. It’s a form of breathing that requires a series of long, slow, and deep breaths. Find a comfortable, quiet spot away from others and distractions. Place your hand on the top of your stomach and relax the other hand next to you.
Slowly take a deep breath for four seconds. Release the breath for four seconds. Continue this process for about one minute. Gradually increase your inhales and exhales to five, six, and seven seconds. Focus on your breathing each time. Repeat this process until you feel calm and relaxed.
Be Generous
Support your community in a variety of ways. Give money to charity, volunteer, or help someone in need. Any act of kindness feels good. Giving of yourself also spreads positivity and love within your community.
Reflect and Ask Yourself Questions
Ask yourself questions that make you evaluate and process your life and decisions in a positive way.
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- What did I enjoy today and why?
- How did the activity make me feel?
- What aspects of your day made you feel happy today and why?
- Gratitude, what things am I grateful for?
- I felt the most at peace today when I…?
- What can I do tomorrow to continue it?
As you can see, finding inner peace takes work and commitment. It is not a constant state you can achieve, without mindfulness and proper action. Nevertheless, you can achieve inner peace and live a fulfilling and prosperous life.
