Five Ways to Find More Inner Peace in Turbulent Times
Sometimes life can be a noisy, turbulent thing.
There is so much happening in our lives and in the world that can fuel our stress and anxiety. This discord can also rob us of our sleep and undermine our sense of well-being.
The drama of the external world, however, does not have to push us off kilter. Ultimately, we choose both what we give our attention to and how we respond to these experiences.
Most importantly, we have the opportunity – and can make the choice – to go within our own oasis of inner peace. We can choose to enter a state of being that is not affected by what is happening in the external world.
Here are five ways to help you find more inner peace, regardless of your circumstances. Eventually, with practice, you can make this more of an ongoing way of being.
1. Spend less time on social media or watching the news
There’s a lot of content out there with a negative or melodramatic focus because that’s what draws attention. Integrated with that is a lot of spin designed to encourage you to adopt a particular point of view.
So in this era of content that is coming at you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you really need to utilize your discernment when encountering any kind of information and get internal guidance on what is in Truth. Consider what types of emotional response the content is seeking to elicit and recognize that a lot of what we read or view online represents just someone’s opinion. Know that you do not have to accept or take on all these viewpoints as your own. Follow your inner guidance on what information should be actioned and what should be discarded.
2. Make self-care a priority
Focus on activities that can still the mind and relax the physical body. Enjoy some nourishing food. Get a massage. Take a bubble bath. Listen to some calming music. Spend time in nature. Go for a walk or do some yoga. These types of activities can reduce your stress levels while also making it easier to hear the quiet voice within that can guide you with wisdom and compassion.
Paying attention to self-care isn’t selfish. You will feel and perform at your best when you have time to rest and recharge. Consider how much sleep you get during a typical night. Explore what happens to your sense of well-being if you gradually introduce some changes into your daily routine that enhance your level of self-care.
3. Recognize that you are not your thoughts
You may find that a major source of stress in your life is the critical voice in your head that is endlessly cataloguing what is wrong with the world – and what is wrong with you. This voice may also parrot critical feedback that you have received from others. Research suggests that about 90% of the thoughts you have in a day are repetitive.
The bottom line, however, is that you are not the voice in your head. You are the one that is aware of the voice, and who gets to choose whether or not to accept or act upon whatever is being said. To reclaim your power from that voice, spend time practising being the observer or witness and just watch the thoughts that float through your head. You may observe that you have a lot of repetitive thoughts.
4. Nurture your inward journey
Achieving deeper and more lasting states of inner peace requires doing your inner work and exploring who you really are. Understanding and experiencing your divine nature will give you a different vantage point or lens through which to view everything that is happening around you.
Some practices that can help you deepen this connection include devoting more time to quietly going within through yoga or meditation, or just by spending some quality time alone and being open to receive beneficial guidance about what you and your life are really all about. Practice connecting or breathing in the energy of Divine Peace.
5. Practice gratitude
Everyone has life experiences that leave them feeling angry, hurt or disappointed. Yet by seeking out what there is to be grateful for – particularly when times are tough – we can come to see that there is always a blessing present.
When we make counting our blessings a part of our daily practice, we may soon see that miracles truly abound. When we link that to our explorations regarding our true energetic nature, we can also come to see more clearly that all the drama around us isn’t really what our lives are about. That realization can help us further anchor to the boundless inner peace that is waiting for us.