Written by IALH Editor
Image by @serrabellum
Feeling a state of calm within yourself can be hard. With so many distractions, commitments and deadlines in our daily lives, it’s tough to find moments to truly be at peace. The world right now is stress-inducing and chaotic for so many reasons, but we’re giving you some tips to slow things down (if you’re able) and appreciate what you have already and not what you think you need…
1) Go Outside!
Being outside, whether it’s exercising outside, taking a trip somewhere local (walk, don’t drive!), or just eating your lunch at work in a park, the sun has finally come out to play and you should take advantage of it if you can. Many of us in the UK have a vitamin D deficiency because of the lack of sunshine from October through March. So take these summer months to up your intake and be outside more, your brain will thank you too!
2) Leave your phone behind
Have a day off from TikTok huns. It’s everyone’s kryptonite I know, but trust me it will still be there when you get back from a day’s detox. Social media and just our phones in general can leave us feeling like the world is waiting for our response, or everyone must be replied to the second they text you. Taking a break can help you reduce mental stress and anxiety and leave you feeling more peaceful (literally!). Putting that phone down will stop you from comparing someone else’s life or updates from your own too, just do you for a while and the good vibes will follow…
If your phone needs to be with you for work or personal matters, then try switching off notifications for certain apps that you don’t need to see or hear from. That way there’s less reason to scroll endlessly or keep checking for story updates!
3) Don’t dwell on the negative
I know it’s easier said than done but accepting what you can’t change or control will definitely help on the journey to peace. Find the simple pleasures and take them where you can. It takes practice to go with the process rather than against it but stick at it. If you concentrate on what you don’t have it will never, ever be enough. Trust me. Yes, it’s natural to want more in life, but if it’s totally consuming you and you’re feeling depressed or anxious about this stuff then it might be time to try a new outlook.
Now these tips are not a fail safe and we aren’t saying they’ll magically make your inner peace appear. But with some simple habit changes you’ll be there in no time.
