Inner peace refers to a state of being mentally and spiritually at peace, with enough knowledge and understanding to keep oneself strong in the face of discord or stress. Being “at peace” is considered by many to be healthy and the opposite of being stressed or anxious. Generally, peace is classified into two types: Internal peace and External peace. Internal peace is called by another word inner peace which is peace of mind or soul.

There are some signs of inner peace: An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment. A loss of interest in judging other people or interpreting the actions of others. A loss of interest in conflict.

There is no standard process or mandatory steps to follow to find peace of mind. Finding inner peace is more challenging with our busy schedule, hectic lifestyle, and everyday stressors, but it is definitely possible. We will go through the steps, what inner peace truly means, how important it is, and how to find it. 

Inner Peace

Inner peace is defined as the state of physical and spiritual calm despite many stressors. Finding your peace of mind means attaining happiness, contentment, and bliss no matter how difficult things get in your life. Finding happiness and inner peace does not depend on a problem-free life or the absence of conflict because we all go through challenges in our lives. 

Importance of Inner Peace

Finding your peace of mind results in fewer worries, anxieties, stressors, and fears. Inner peace is linked to achieving self-actualization. Below are the benefits of finding that state of balance in your life:

• Better everyday function in handling your day-to-day affairs
• Increased energy levels and improved emotional management
• Less drama, fewer worries, less stress, and positive thoughts
• A kind and compassionate treatment of other people
• Not being easily affected by society’s negative comments
• The ability to learn how to deal with difficult emotions
• The ability to have a clear judgment when dealing with stressful challenges
• Better sleep quality

How to Find Inner Peace and Happiness

There are many ways to achieve inner peace and happiness. One way might work for you but not for others. Finding serenity and happiness cannot be achieved overnight; it is an ongoing process. You might want to check out and try the following strategies on the list below to help you find your spirituality, peace, and happiness.

1. Be Grateful for what you have

Finding your peace and taking care of your well-being means being grateful for what you have, not complaining about what you lack in life. When you appreciate what you have, you’ll find more peace. It has been found that individuals with a grateful heart and the ones contented with their life’s blessings find peace and happiness within.

2. Meditation

Meditation has many proven benefits for our physical, emotional, and mental health. In particular, practising mindfulness meditation has been seen to decrease anxiety and prevent depression. You can try yoga, read a book on meditation, listen to a guided meditation on a podcast, or practice 45-60 minutes of mindfulness meditation every day at home. These can all help you find your path to peace and happiness.

3. Spend Time with Nature

When you spend time with nature, like taking short walks or appreciating nature, you may find serenity. Spending time with nature and taking a deep breath can prevent your mind from thinking about stressful thoughts. This is not a one-time thing, but long-term exposure to nature is an opportunity for you to deal with life’s everyday stress.

4. Take Responsibility for Your Actions

Taking responsibility and accountability for all your actions takes a whole level of maturity. Even when it’s hard, you’ll find peace and happiness by admitting your mistakes. Accept criticisms and use them to improve yourself, as accepting that you made mistakes will make you a more resilient person.

5. Don’t Let Your Past Mistakes Define You

We all have mistakes in the past we’re not proud of, but dwelling on your past mistakes will take the best of you. Don’t let your past mistakes define you, and don’t let those memories stop you from growing into a better individual.

To find your peace and happiness, let go of your regrets. Remember that these mistakes made you a better person. You’re going to commit mistakes in the future anyway, so learn to pick yourself up and move on.

6. Love Yourself

Self-care is important to finding peace and happiness. Loving yourself means looking after your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. These include eating healthy, exercising regularly, and looking after your overall well-being.

When you have a healthy relationship with yourself and practise self-care, you also project this positive energy toward others. Imagine how happy and peaceful your life can be when you feel good about yourself. Healthy self-love also results in good relationships with the people around you.

7. Practice Acceptance and Contentment

In finding peace and happiness, acceptance and contentment are key. Accept that you will have problems in life and learn how to deal with them. Being contented means having emotional, physical, or even financial contentment. The desire for material things and financial wealth does not excite an individual with inner peace.

8. Declutter your space

Decluttering can help with having a peaceful mind. This does not only mean decluttering your things and cleaning your home but putting an order in your life. You can notice the stress you become when you see a messy closet. That’s why decluttering can help you. Start taking control of your life by organizing your house, tasks, and thoughts.

Things to Leave behind for Inner Peace

1. Toxic people

The people you surround yourself with affect the way you think, feel, and behave. Engaging with people who lie, gossip, bully, or cheat takes a toll on your well-being.

Establish healthy emotional and physical boundaries.

2. Excessive self-blame

Thinking everything is 100 per cent your fault–whether it’s a failed relationship or an accident–will affect the way you see yourself and the world around you.

You can’t always prevent bad things from happening. Recognize your responsibility for your choices, but you also acknowledge factors beyond your control–like the state of the economy, the weather, and other people’s choices.

3. Chasing happiness

Thinking you need to be happy all the time will backfire. Momentary pleasure is much different from long-term satisfaction.

You have to put in the hard work it takes to gain contentment. You have to refuse to give in to instant gratification or temporary indulgences. You have to look for ways to build a brighter future by creating long-term goals.

4. Staying comfortable

It may seem like staying inside your comfort zone is the key to feeling good in life. But avoiding discomfort always backfires in the end.

You have to face your fears, venture into unknown areas, and test your limits. You know that being uncomfortable is tolerable and allowing yourself to experience discomfort is the key to living a better life.

5. The victim mentality

Thinking the world and the people in it are out to get you will prevent you from being your best. In fact, if you blame all of your problems on external circumstances you’ll never take responsibility for your life.

You have to acknowledge your choices, even in the face of tragic circumstances. Your focus is on the things you can control, and you refuse to waste your time hosting pity parties.

6. Trying to impress people

You could waste a lot of your life trying to make people like you. Depending on admiration from others, however, gives others power over you.

You should be comfortable in your own skin. You don’t waste your time worrying about whether other people approve of their choices. Instead, they focus on living according to their values.

7. The pursuit of perfection

Striving for excellence is healthy. But insisting on perfection is an uphill battle. You’ll never feel good enough if you set the bar impossibly high.

Mentally strong people accept that they’re going to fail and make mistakes. They are able to acknowledge their flaws and weaknesses.

8. Grudges

You may think holding onto a grudge somehow punishes someone else. But, in reality, clinging to anger and hatred only reduces your life.

You have to let go of grudges so that you can focus your energy on more worthwhile causes. That doesn’t mean you allow yourself to be abused by people, however. It just means you don’t allow pent-up resentment to overtake your life.

9. The quest for material things

No matter how much money you make, a bigger house, a nicer car, or more expensive clothing won’t give you peace of mind. Expecting material possessions to satisfy your needs will leave you sorely disappointed.

You shouldn’t necessarily be minimalists, however. You can enjoy nice things. But you shouldn’t expect your material possessions to give you joy and contentment.

10. Complete self-reliance

Thinking you can do everything on your own is about acting tough–not being strong. There will be times when asking for help is important.

You shouldn’t afraid to admit when you need help. Whether you rely on a higher power, ask for professional help, or lean on a friend during a time in need, they gain strength from others. Knowing they don’t have to have all the answers gives them a renewed sense of inner peace.  

Final Thoughts

The strategies above may work for you but may not work for others in finding inner peace. If you’re trying to take control of your life and find your inner peace, go out of your way and give your best efforts. Talk to a therapist to have a professional guide along the way.