Practical Ways to Feel More Peaceful

With so much intensity in our world, the idea of finding freedom from friction may feel distant. And, yet, peace is at the very center of your wellbeing and shining your brightest. Fortunately, the harmony your body and mind need to thrive always shares the same postal code with you. In each moment, you have the opportunity to open the door and invite peace in with a slow, deep breath.

What is inner peace?
Inner peace is an internal state of mind that is spacious and settled. Here we're able to examine our thoughts and feelings before responding to the outer world.

How important is inner peace?
Inner peace is at the core of a happy, healthy, and harmonious life. By owning your capacity to settle your mind before responding to external stimuli, you have tapped into your ultimate gift – your power to choose. This state of mind allows you to become aware of what is at the root of your stress or dis-ease. Armed with this knowledge, you can work internally or with others to confidently untangle any knots and face challenges. Having peace of mind also allows you to stay focused on what matters most and reach your goals in life. And perhaps the most important aspect of having inner peace is a feeling of fulfillment and acceptance about who you are and the life you lead. Simply put, you're content in its purest form.

What does inner peace feel like?
Imagine you're swimming in a river with a strong, turbulent current. Everything is rushing by too quickly to process; the water is dark and murky, you feel tossed and out of control, and you're struggling to take a deep breath. This is what life feels like without inner peace.

And, now we shift this metaphor to represent inner peace… Gradually, the current slows. Finally, you can collect yourself and breathe slowly and calmly. With the rush of water now gently passing by, you notice that it is so clear that you can see your feet on the bottom of the riverbed and fish going about their daily fish routine. You float on your back for a moment to enjoy the refreshing experience.

How to find inner peace?
When you're in a tizzy and your world or the moment at hand feels chaotic, accepting that you are in charge of your own peace may be a hard pill to swallow. Yet, getting this medicine down the hatchet is your first step to taming your internal struggle.

In fact, your habits give rise to the amount of peace you experience - not your family, not your intense line of work, and not your physical health. Of course, all these aspects of your life are interconnected and feed on one another. However, it's critical to understand that your inner peace is separate from these outer influences.

Finding inner peace is a process of uncovering rather than hunting. Your inner calm is already there, patiently awaiting your arrival. The route to discovering it is like letting air slowly out of a balloon before it pops. As you learn to empty your mind, you free yourself from fear-based thoughts that create a foggy or combative internal environment. The less inflated (or inflamed) your mind and thoughts are, the more alive and at ease, you will feel.

Below we share some of our top practices for connecting with your quiet internal space and extending this tranquility into the world around you. As you may learn, it's about incorporating tiny shifts and habits that gradually reveal the peace you desire in your mind and life.

If you'd like to get started by strengthening your ability to tap into the present moment or explore other mindful themes within the Brighter Being System, take a peek at our Breathe Guide.

1. Drop the Hunt for Stuff

There's no denying it. Getting a new outfit, a nice set of colored markers, a sweet new ride, or something else you desire is fun! There's a little boost of happiness to meet a fresh new thing or even a new position at work. Research shows that your brain sends off a train of feel-good chemicals that can help improve your mood, but unfortunately, this is not a long-term solution as the freshness of your new thing hangs on like a honeymoon phase… until it no longer gets credit for "making you happy."

The truth is those things can never "make you happy." Nothing can make you truly happy. No matter how much it seems like "getting there" or "having that" will turn your life into joy, it won't. We're not saying it's time to sell all your things and never revisit your favorite shop. You can certainly enjoy things! We're just saying that you can't count on these external possessions to make you truly happy.

Feeling deep contentment is found within. This includes your relationship with yourself, connecting with your purpose, sharing your life with others, and growing and learning. So practice noticing when you desire a new material item and invite yourself to examine your expectations about it. If you find yourself believing that "it" will change your mental state, this is a great time to get curious. First, clarify what exactly you believe this new thing will bring you. What problem do you think it will solve? What might be the underlying cause of your pursuit? Then, consider ways to find peace or happiness within your current mind and life. Remember, you're the only one who has the power to make you happy, so check your reality when you're assigning that task to a future something.

2. Cool it Down with Pieces of Peace

Whether it's in your home, at work, or even at a friend or community event, there are moments you can feel the heat begin to rise. It might be a spark of a political debate, or a family member has their finger over someone's hot button (maybe yours!). This practice can take quick action to keep the flames at bay. For example, if you are inching toward anger, simply noticing a potential blowup may be all that's needed to avoid a peace-draining situation. The more you see these triggering events, the more likely you can create the internal space you need to prevent their negative impact altogether.

You can also find subtle ways to defuse or cool down a moment for others. Notice if the music or a show playing in the background has gone from entertaining to too loud and grading. Also, consider playing calming music, dimming the lights, lowering the room's temperature, or lighting a calming candle. Basically, if there is a low-hanging environmental factor that you can adjust to invite more peace into the room - do it!

If you feel grounded in your emotional state, you might also consider shifting the conversation with a group to something with less bite. With any heated moment, your most important role is to be the peace as much as possible without expectations that any of your actions or presence will reduce or eliminate a negative situation - at least this go round. You might notice that your invitation to peace is cumulative. It may take many times of your role modeling peace for another person or group to shift out of fight mode and into calm. Or it simply may not happen. Regardless, you have your inner peace.

3. Squeeze a Fluff Ball

It's probably not surprising that pets can be an adorable part of your wellbeing and peace. But you might not know that there are oodles (not to be confused with doodles) of research that show our animals, especially pups and kitties, are little powerhouses of wellness. They offer you a reduction in anxiety, companionship, improved heart health, and inspiration to play and exercise.

Scientists believe that when you touch and play with your pet, you receive a brain chemical called oxytocin. This hormone is responsible for decreasing blood pressure and increasing your immune system. So next time you need a moment of calm, wake Snuffles up for a snuggle!

4. Tune into the Classics or Try Binaural Music

According to researchers listening to relaxing music reduces the stress hormone cortisol.  So if you're into Mozart or an electronic chill station on your music app - press play to invite inner peace. Though you might not find yourself immediately in a new state of mind, subtle tones can have a positive, peace-inducing benefit on your brain.

Recent studies also suggest that Binaural music can also have a calming impact. This particular type of music, when listened to with headphones, causes your brain to "hear" a non-existent tone. It's an auditory illusion, and it happens when one of your ears simultaneously hears a tone that has a slightly different frequency than the other. You can find various soothing artistic directions, like bells, to help you rest into a Binaural Beat and calm your mind.

5. Be Kind to Chaos

Decluttering your mental space to debut your internal zen studio can feel pretty overwhelming - especially if you're just beginning a mindfulness practice. The guiding principle is to be kind and accepting of yourself - period. There is no forcing peace. Inner peace bubbles to the top as you release and let go of your internal and external forces. So rather than sending forceful commands like - "Be quiet" or "Feel peaceful" to your inner being, consider more open thoughts that incorporate and honor your current reality and state of mind.

If you're struggling with – day-to-day life, a challenging family relationship, uncertainty about a recent health diagnosis, or a work project that has just fallen apart – acknowledge it. Accept what is and give yourself the space to recenter. These chaotic, stressful periods increase our need for peace while simultaneously throwing our wellness routines out of whack. So first, accept what's happening is intense and give yourself an internal hug for hanging in there. Then remind yourself that everything is temporary and, with acceptance and care, what you're facing will pass.

With the practice of acceptance and doubling down on your own self-care when stress rises, you create a habit that deepens the reservoir of your wellness and allows peace to bubble to the top.

6. Meditate Like You Brush Your Teeth

Most of us brush our teeth at least once a day because we accept that if we don't, we'll get painful cavities, and, in the meantime, our halitosis might reduce our work or social interactions. Mindfulness Meditation benefits mirror those of regular teeth brushing. When you meditate, you keep your mind healthy. Regular meditation cleans yesterday's grime and polishes your mental agility for optimal brain function. Plus, as you find more inner peace and mental stability, you become a much more enjoyable and inspiring family member, friend, and work partner. And without meditation? Expect a bit of mental fuzz.

A Harvard study shows that just 15 minutes a day for eight weeks allowed participants to find more peace in their daily lives. They also found a change at the genetic level with lower blood pressure. Even just a few minutes a day of focusing on your breath and letting go of your thoughts is the most powerful tool for uncovering your lasting inner peace.

7. Take a Chilly Plunge

Research shows another practice that may help you jumpstart a feeling of calm is diving into a cold body of water. This might be a cold bath, lake, ocean, or shower. As uncomfortable as this may sound, the positive and calming mental effects have been documented by scientists. You shift your nervous system into a more parasympathetic state when you take a chilly plunge. This can cause you to feel a sense of relaxation. These bursts of calm give you a reprieve from a frenetic mind and help you connect with your inner peace. Everybody is unique in finding their path to inner peace. This is a helpful, science-backed method for tapping into your wellbeing and adding to your peace.

Final Thoughts on Inner Peace of Mind - 8 Peacefulness Practices to Calm the Chaos

Incorporate as many suggestions in the list above into your life. You may find some of the practices easier than others and others you may already be doing. The key is to stay on your path. With each practice, you'll become more aware of your inner thoughts and opportunities to calm the chaos in your mind and the world around you.

If you’d like to take a moment to reflect on your relationship with centering, visit our Peace Page for a simple journal prompt to deepen your connection with this intention.