What do you do when the world wants to steal your peace?
It feels like there’s just way too much to process these days. Threats of looming war, human rights violations, inflation, environmental chaos…and that’s just the first ten minutes of the 6 o’clock news. Not to mention the smaller, personal battles each of us faces, whether it be strained relationships, problems at work, or struggling to pay the bills.
So, how do we deal? When it feels like everything is crumbling down around us, how do we continue to seek and find our inner peace? Here are five things you can try.
Practice gratitude: Spend some time each day writing down one or two things you’re grateful for. Shift your focus on what you have (not what you don’t have), and see how it positively impacts your mindset.
Spend time in nature: Ever heard of “forest bathing?” It’s essentially a form of eco-therapy and is the act of immersing yourself and connecting with nature. Studies have shown it can improve psychological health. Studies have shown that spending time in nature is linked to cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health, and emotional well-being.
Meditate: Meditation has many positive benefits on your mental wellbeing. It reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, and with apps like Dwell, YouVersion, Calm, and Headspace, you can pick up the habit anywhere, anytime.
Move your body: Endorphins are the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals, and there’s no better way to get more of them pumping through your system than with exercise. "How can I fit exercise into my daily routine?" I hear you. I know I'm asking the same question, but I also know I can find at least 20 minutes in the morning if I really try.
Find a Therapist: The stigma around mental health has changed a lot over the last several years, and more people are discovering that it’s “OK not to be OK.” Finding a therapist you trust who can help you process your emotions or internal dialogue with yourself is a game-changer.
There’s no shortcut to finding peace; sometimes, you’re going to have to fight for it. I'm trying, too, to shut out the noise and chaos that plagues our days. Let's not give up. It's possible, and it's worth it.
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