5 Ways to Find Inner Peace
April 7, 2017
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Our world can be a beautiful, crazy place. There are moments of despair, and sometimes life feels like it’s moving in fast-forward. Inner peace can seem like something reserved for a monk sitting crossed-legged on top of a mountain.
The truth is that our authentic nature is quiet and serene. We all have the ability to access tranquility. All we need to do is apply on ourselves. To help get you started on the right path, here are five ways to help find inner peace:
1. Screen detox
Whether it’s for work or play, much of our lives are spent in front of a computer. Make it a point to take breaks and move away from your screen. Check your social media pages only once or twice per day. If you are able, set a time when you shut down your system completely. Use these moments without technology wisely – spend time with your loved ones, read or take a walk.
This goes for your cell phone, too. Use it as necessary, and if you are able, shut it down at a certain time in the evening.
2. Meditation
Meditation with Christie Pitko - Photo by Sally Mitchell
It isn’t just for yoga teachers, and you don’t need hours to practice. Find just five minutes to sit without distractions in a chair or on a pillow or blanket on the floor. Lengthen gently from the crown of the head. Close your eyes and rest your hands on your thighs. Follow the flow of the breath from the nostrils and back on each inhale and exhale. Each time a thought comes to mind, come back to tracing the path of your breath. Do this again and again, until the five minutes are up. You will be surprised how much peace this can bring to your life if practiced regularly.
3. Yoga
Reverse Warrior at the Yoga Retreat - Photo by Sally Mitchell
If I had a dollar for every time someone told me they can’t do yoga because they aren’t flexible, I’d be a very wealthy lady. You do not need to be able to turn yourself in a pretzel to join a yoga class. Yoga is about moving and breathing with awareness. It’s about showing up exactly as you are. Yoga can heal on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level. Take your time, and watch the layers unfold into peace.
4. Mindful Eating
Garden fresh lettuce - Photo by Christie Pitko
A balanced diet can be quite peaceful. Savor each bite and observe the texture and flavor of what you are eating. Organic foods, which come directly from the earth, keep us grounded and can help reduce anxiety. Enjoy fresh foods, rather than packaged meals that contain chemicals, which can lead to feelings of sluggishness or even hyperactivity. Green, leafy vegetables, as well as berries, help us stay focused.
5. Go on a Yoga Retreat
Yoga Retreat Attendees - Photo by Pete Vilotti
A yoga retreat includes all of the above and much more! Yoga retreats whisk you away from the chaos of life and into a reflective state of being. You’ll connect with like-minded people, experience the beauty of nature with limited or zero access to the internet, spend time at a beach or in the forest. You’ll practice yoga and meditation daily and indulge in delicious and nutritious meals. I can’t think of a better way to connect to inner peace!
The world will continue to throw challenges our way. That is part of being human. When we cultivate an inner calmness, we navigate through life with purpose and clarity. This can create a ripple effect in which we inspire others to do the same. We can help change the world, one breath at a time!
Inner peace is something we can all achieve if we set ourselves on the right path. Go to BookYogaRetreats.com, choose a yoga therapy retreat and reconnect your body, mind and soul.
Christie is hosting yoga retreats in California and a 6 Days Reiki, Meditation, and Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica this year. You can find more about Christie on her website – Shifting and Inspired.