Inner Peace – 6 tips

Inner peace is a huge goal for so many people, particularly in this hectic world.  It feels like an unattainable goal.  Many people crave that peace but have no idea how to reach for it.  Yet for years they put up with stress and anxiety, waiting for inner peace to just happen.

If you want to really achieve inner peace, you need to know who you are, how you fit into the world, and what values drive you.  It is a huge benefit also when you understand what you can and cannot control, and you are able to let go of the uncontrollable.

The following are 6 tips that seem easy when you read them quickly but can be challenging and rewarding at the same time. 

 1.  Inner peace is value-led

It’s important to know who you are and what you stand for so you can more easily make good decisions in your life.  We all have values that drive our behaviours, our choices and often our disappointment when we don’t live them. 

From choosing a career to a spouse and all the choices in between and beyond, having a strong sense of self, provides a base from which you can make good decisions that makes sense to you.  This brings inner peace and allows you to begin to assert your needs.

 2.  Inner peace is all about you

Everyone has something they do to self-soothe or relax when stressed. Some rub a foot on the sheets, drink a warm beverage, read, chew gum, hum, meditate, walk, hike, take a warm shower, participate in a hobby, or do something else. Look back at your childhood to help you identify what you do naturally to self-soothe and relax, in both public and private environments.

Self-soothing is about putting yourself first.  We often get lost when we forget to do that.  So put you first, and everything else will just fall into place. 

 3.  It’s all about perspective

When something is particularly stressful, ask yourself whether it will really matter, in the big scheme of things. Is a momentary event brought on by a lack of sleep or poor health habits? Do other people seem to be stressed about the same thing, as well? 

Talk with trusted friends to help you get to the underlying causes and put things in perspective. 

 4.  Repair Your Environment

Believe it or not, clutter and a disorganized environment can cause or add to your feelings of discontentment and interfere with achieving inner peace. You may think that this is a trivial thing but it has a powerful effect on your psyche. 

Even if you don’t want to clean up, find someone who will help you do it. When you set up your environment to be peaceful and take small steps each day to maintain that environment, you are more likely to feel calm, peaceful, and at ease in the world. 

 5.  Contribute to Your Community 

So much inner peace comes from interacting with others in your community. If you don’t interact with others enough, you can lead to feeling grumpy, dissatisfied, and lonely. 

A great sense of satisfaction can come from stepping out of your own head and giving to others.  It costs you time, but if you are honest what else will you be doing?  Sitting at home feeling bad?

Even if you don’t like crowds, you can choose to contribute to your community in small-group or one-on-one situations. 

Find a cause that touches your heart or join a Meetup group with interests that are similar to yours.  You can offer to help in a capacity that is comfortable and rewarding to you, as well as others, to gain and give inner peace. 

 6.  Understand the Value of Acceptance 

Acceptance doesn’t mean that you agree with someone or the situation. It only means that you acknowledge facts, thoughts, opinions, and situations exist and those of others are nothing to do with you. 

There is no judgement, right or wrong. There is simply an attitude of “it exists.” When you accept things, people, and situations as-is, it’s easier to find and maintain your inner peace despite stressful situations and negative people. 

Knowing how to find your inner peace can help you in every area of life. It’s like riding a bike. Once you know how you never totally forget it. You may need reminders and a little practice to get up to your previous speed, but you will get the hang of it quickly. When you’ve learned how to walk through the most stressful times and come out on top, it’s easier to pick up where you left off and regain your inner peace.