9 Things You Can Do Today to Bring Peace and Calmness into Your Life


Image by muha… (license).

“May you have warmth in your igloo, oil in your lamp, and peace in your heart!”
Eskimo proverb

“The simplification of life is one of the steps to inner peace. A persistent simplification will create an inner and outer well-being that places harmony in one’s life.”
Peace Pilgrim

I believe a lot of people want more inner peace and calmness in their lives. But how can we find it in the busy daily life?

Here are 9 of my own favorite tips.

  1. Set limits. If your life is overfilled with stuff you may need to set some limits. You may need to stop doing some of the least important things, the things that if you are honest really don’t matter that much. Don’t hold yourself to “perfect” standards. And set a limit for how many times you will check inboxes etc. per day. Checking on stuff all the time creates a lot of stress. And say no if you really don’t have the time.
  2. Find a relaxation technique that works for you. I like belly breathing and working out to release tensions and recharge during the day. What works for you? Long walks, music, yoga, meditation or going for a swim? Find out and do that.
  3. Don’t make mountains out of molehills. This can create a lot of unnecessary stress. When facing what looks like a mountain then ask yourself questions like: Does someone on the planet have it worse than me? Will this matter in 5 years? These questions help you zoom out and realize that in most cases things aren’t really that bad and you can handle them.
  4. Slow down. Your emotions work backwards too. If you slow down then while walking, moving your body or talking you can often start to feel less stressed (compared to if you move/talk fast).Slowing down to decrease stress goes for many other things you do in everyday life too like riding your bicycle, driving the car, working at your desk and eating.
  5. Declutter your world, declutter your mind. Just take 5 minutes to declutter your workspace or the room you are in. A decluttered, simplified and ordered space around you brings clarity and order to the mind. So don’t stop at the workspace. Declutter, simplify and organize your home and life too to live in a more relaxing environment.
  6. Accept and let go. Now is now. But if something negative from the past – something someone said, something someone did – is still in your mind then accept and let that feeling and thought in instead of trying to push it away. When it is there, when you accept that it is then it starts to lose power. And while the facts may still be there in your head the negative feelings are much less powerful or gone. At this point, let that thing go like you are throwing out a bag of old clothes. And direct your focus to the present moment and something better instead.
  7. Escape for a while. Read a novel (I like twisty thrillers), watch your favorite TV-show or a movie. It’s simple but it works well to just release pressure and relax.
  8. Do one thing at a time. Multitasking splits your focus and leaves you with mediocre results and less enjoyment while sucking the energy out of you. When you do a thing do just that. Be there. Don’t try to do something else physically or in your mind. I have found that doing this always helps me to find inner calmness again.
  9. Solve a problem that is weighing down on you. Don’t procrastinate anymore. Solve your problem and release it and all the underlying stress and tension that it is creating in your life. You probably already know what to do, you are just not doing it yet. But the longer you wait the worse the tension inside becomes. So get up from your chair and get started on doing it now.

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About the Author

Henrik Edberg is the creator of the Positivity Blog and has written weekly articles here since 2006. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Gothenburg and has been featured on Lifehacker, HuffPost and Paulo Coelho’s blog. Click here to learn more…

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Don’t make mountains out of molehills i think this is the most important point people have to focus on and also inner peace comes for m less desires, excellent post I completely agree with you!

  • I really liked reading this article! Especially in times like these where things can be very stressful, i think it is important to takes your advice. I like yoga and listening to music. it helps me relax.

  • Heinrik,

    I love these tips. For me it’s the ocean that actually blends all of the things you’ve mentioned here together.

  • Hi Henrik,

    Great suggestions! I especially like #7 – Escape for a while and #8 – Do one thing at a time. Personally, reading and watching TV do wonders for me because my mind is so focused on the content that there’s simply no room for anything else. And that really gives me a peace of mind.

    I never understand how people can multitask. I’ve never been a multitasker. I can’t even talk over the phone and watch TV at the same time. If I were doing those two things simultaneously, it would have to be no more than 5 minutes. After which, I would have to make a decision and stick to one. :P

    Cheers~

    Mark

  • I have to admit I am guilty of multi-tasking and actually it works ok for me.. I find being a mum of 3 small kids and working from home, it’s almost inevitable. I especially like your point about solving a problem. That can be such a weight off one’s shoulders! I enjoyed this article very much.

  • I started keeping a journal. Well, it started out as a to-do list, then adding on things that I like to do but never get around to it. Then I joined a few om-line journals, started a Twitter account, a blog (mysteryjewel,blogspot.com), and a Facebook account. It’s important to feel connected to the world and find things that make you smile.
    Thank you for all your great advice.

  • Relaxing and watching a movie is something i have not done in quite a While. Will definitely so tommrrow.

  • Escape for a while.Ican’t agree more.Life is wonderful, but at the same time not easy.So we must learn to live,in our own way.

  • Excellent points! I especially find the “don’t make mountains out of molehills” to be appropriate for my life. I worry way too much about things that don’t really matter in the long run.

  • Just stumbled across your blog, and wanted to let you know that I really enjoy it a lot! Keep it up! :)

  • Meg at Demanding Joy

    I also came across your blog and love it! Thanks so much for your writing in general, but particularly for this post. A great reminder to breathe, prioritize and enjoy the day.

  • My favourite ones are – acceptance of what is, and don’t make mountains out of molehills. I do have a tendency to make more of certain trivial things than I should, and I know that when I let go and accept these things as they are, I feel alot happier.

    Thanks for the post.

  • ‘slowdown,do onething at atime,Letgo and solve the problem that weigh you down’ does reconstruct my life and gives me courage and strength to Live On!!!!!!!

    thanks for wonderful tips

  • Merly

    Great tips! “Do one thing at time” – “Accept and Let go” has really helped tremendously….

  • Jennifer

    Thans for the article. I really neeeded to read it today. Great advices especially the one in which you recommend looking things from a higher perspective. We all face our own mountains. The most important thing is to realize that nothing is as bad as it seems. Great tips.