If you’ve made it to adulthood, you already know that life can be like a roller coaster ride. The ups and downs of living in this world can be overwhelming at times, making the ability to create peace and contentment for yourself crucial.
Of course, it’s easier said than done. If you’re struggling to feel peace and contentment in life, take just a few minutes to read through some helpful tips that will lead you in the right direction and equip you with the knowledge you need to start shaping a more positive future.
Gratitude & mindfulness
Finding elements of your life you can be grateful for is an effective way to boost your mood. Practicing gratitude has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety. Researchers have found that “a single act of thoughtful gratitude produces an immediate 10% increase in happiness and a 35% reduction in depressive symptoms.”
Simply taking the time once a day or even once a month to dig deep in your heart and find gratitude for the good things in your world can serve as a powerful tool for providing relief from challenging mental health circumstances or disorders. Peace and contentment are closely tied to the mastery of gratitude and mindfulness.
Prioritize your health
Your physical health has a heavy impact on your mental health. Even if you’re not seeing a doctor regularly, there are plenty of steps you can take on a day-to-day basis to protect and preserve your physical health.
Regular exercise is essential for keeping your body in good shape. Just 30 minutes of movement and getting your heart pumping each day will work wonders for your body long term.
Taking a daily multivitamin, protecting your sleep, regular self-care (showering, massages, a walk in the park), and even the little quiet moments throughout your day matter more than you might think. When your body is healthy, you have more time to focus on healing your mind.
Surround yourself with loved ones
It’s no secret that not everyone has a supportive loving family around them to lift them up in hard times. If you don’t have a biological family to love and support you throughout life, form strong bonds with friends.
Chosen family bonds can be just as meaningful and enriching as bio-family bonds, and feeling peace and contentment is much easier with those you love by your side. Leaning on others who care for you is not a weakness. It’s a strength. Prioritize spending time with people who have your best interests at hand.
Limit comparisons
Do your best to limit comparisons in your daily life. Everyone is different, and we all have different challenges. We all thrive in different ways, and one person’s apparent success has no bearing on how well you’re managing your own life.
Comparing yourself to others can lead to feelings of insufficiency undermining your peace and contentment, but it can also lead to false confidence. Walk your own walk through this world, and don’t base your happiness on whether or not you “measure up” to your neighbor.
Invest in yourself
Finally, always remember to take the time to invest in yourself. Time for meditation can help calm and center your mind. Living and being present in the moment is a good way to manage day-to-day life.
Read articles and books that teach you something. Make it a point to never stop learning. Learning new things about how your mind works will equip you with more tools to create a positive outcome.
Knowledge truly is power, and you never fully understand that quip until you begin to dive into teaching yourself. Remember, you are your best teacher. You know how you learn best and you know when your mind is sharp and ready to receive new information.
Put it all together
Feeling peaceful and content in life is likely not something you’ll feel every second of every day, but it’s important to take time to promote such thoughts. Actively working to feel peaceful and content is especially helpful when you struggle with mental health challenges like depression and anxiety. The message is simple, but the application is crucial. Now get out there and find five things you’re grateful for today!
