Life can be a barrage of constant stimulation. There is work, family, friends, email, text messages, tweets, dinner, traffic, sports… But serenity should not be a distant dream. We strive for (or maybe struggle for) balance against constant stimulation. But a mind that does not know stillness knows stress, and stress knows real consequences to our health.
Peace of mind is important for physical, mental and spiritual well-being. When we are at peace with ourselves, the quality of our relationships improve, we feel more connected and happy. We become more creative, and find greater fulfillment in our careers and passions. We enjoy the present moment spiritually we feel more connected to ourselves and our purpose.
And, we are healthier. Research has shown that during the practice of meditation, our bodies get deep rest, while our immunity is strengthened. In turn, our bodies have that space and time to heal from mental and physical ailments.
We live in a society that is always looking for easy tips for success. Undoubtedly, finding an overall sense of peace and well-being is about choosing a lifestyle that is balanced and healthy over the long run.
Here are some tips that can help you find that sense of serenity in your life.
1.Find time to meditate
Tapping into the silence of our mind is one of the most powerful techniques to find true peace of mind.
Do some research and find a local meditation teacher or program in your community. Meditation is now a part of contemporary culture, and doctors now prescribe mindfulness and stress release techniques to their patients.
Even five minutes of meditation every day can help you settle your mind. Here is a simple breathing meditation:
- Close your eyes.
- Focus on your breath moving in and out of your nostrils.
- Breathe in for 3 seconds.
- 1 2 3
- Pause.
- Breathe out for 3 seconds.
- 1 2 3
- When you notice your mind wandering to thoughts or sounds in the environment, just gently bring your attention back to the breath.
- To finish the meditation, take a few seconds to appreciate the rhythm of your breath.
- Open your eyes.
Many times people get stressed by meditation, feeling that the time is clouded by lots of thoughts. Don’t get frustrated. Thoughts are a way that our mind releases stress. So even if you spend the entire five minutes worrying about what you could be doing, know that this time is letting your mind get a break. Just gently shift your attention back to your breath and get through the time.
The meditation will feel more natural after a few attempts.
2. Take a mindful 10-minute walk
There is a true healing power of being in nature, and appreciating the primordial sounds that surround us.
Primordial sounds are the sounds of nature the wind blowing through the trees, the sound of the waves or water flowing, the chirping of birds or crickets in the night.
Find a place near where you live where you can tap into the sounds of nature, fresh air, sunlight and space. It may be harder if you live in an urban area, but take the time to check out local parks to find your place.
Take a mindful walk by putting away all electronic devices and setting the intent to notice Mother Earth. Use all your senses to appreciate her gifts the colors and textures, the sounds and smells. If you live near a beach or a grassy park, take advantage of actually feeling the earth, and walk barefoot.
3. State an intent every morning
Having the intention to do something is the first step in making it happen. The more we consciously think about and create the world we want, the more peace and happiness we will find for ourselves and those around us.
Make a habit of stating an intention every morning when you wake up. Make a ritual of it – keep a pad of paper in your purse to write it down.
By expressing your intent, you will create an anchor for your day. Intents can be very specific or more spiritual in nature. Your daily intent may be something like:
My intent is to take a yoga class today. My intent is to stay peaceful today in the midst of uncertainty.
My intent is to reconnect with an old friend today.
My intent is to consciously smile at everyone I meet today.
Remember that life is a journey of self-discovery. We don’t need to tackle everything at once. By choosing one intent each day, you are selecting one personal aspiration that will make you healthier, happier and more connected to others in your life.
Peace of mind should be our natural state of awareness, however, in a modern world somehow it gets lost. Fortunately, we can use age-old, simple techniques which are powerful to reconnect with ourselves and create the life we want.
