Finding inner peace in the modern world is a significant challenge. Everything about modern society feels like an obstacle to experiencing peace of mind. But there are ways to find and maintain inner peace. Inner peace is a choice, and many of your habits determine how much peace you experience in your daily life.
 
Experience inner peace and enjoy life on a deeper, more satisfying level:

1) Focus your attention on those things you can control.  I can be a tall order when there is so much that is worrisome happening in the world around us.  However, it is not productive to worry about things you can’t control. 
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I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer:

If you find yourself worrying, ask yourself, “Is this something I can control? Will worrying be beneficial in any way?”  Instead, shift your thoughts to the outcome that you desire and that would give you peace.  Either way, you are just thinking – you may as well think about the outcome that gives you peace vs. worry!
 
2) Spend time in nature. It has been proven that exposure to nature ignites physiological change that lowers stress, calms the mind, and clears the senses. Take a long walk in the park or spend a weekend camping. You’ll feel dramatically different compared to sitting in a building 24 hours every day. There’s something peaceful about spending time among the birds and the trees.

3) Be true to yourself. Few things are more disconcerting than living a life you weren’t meant to live. It can show itself with stress, discontent, anxiety, depression, and physical ailments.   Live a life that’s authentic and aligns with your values. 

It’s too easy to allow society dictate your choices. You don’t have to spend your life on a career that’s impressive to others. You don’t have to chase after a fancy house. Make your own decisions about what’s most important to you.

4) Eat nutritiously. You might not realize how bad you feel because you’re so used to it. Try eating the way you know you should for just a week. Note the change in how you feel. 
Chances are, when go back to the junk food and you’ll see your mood and your overall sense of well-being lower.  Everything has a vibration – including you, including your food.  Junk food has a lower vibration than whole/fresh food. There’s a lot to be said about the old adage “you are what you eat!”  It is true…your body’s energetic vibration will align with the vibration of the food you eat.  The higher vibration, the better you feel!
 
5) Exercise regularly. Have you ever noticed how great you feel as you’re walking out of the gym? Exercise feels good, and you feel good about yourself for doing it.  Find some sort of exercise that you enjoy and make it a point to get out there and do it at least 3-4 times a week.

6) Do something nice for someone else. This is a great way to take your focus off of yourself. You become more aware that others are struggling, too. When you are kind, you receive kindness in return. You’ll also feel a sense of pride and satisfaction when you help someone else.

7) Set honest about your needs. Be open and forward with your needs and desires.  You may be wishing that your kids would unload the dishwasher or your spouse would put the cap on the toothpaste.  Meanwhile, that is not even on their radar.  Be sure that you are communicating your needs with the people around you. You’re not only more likely to get what you want, but you’ll also feel more in control of your life. Being passive results in having less control, which runs counter to inner peace. Be assertive without being aggressive.

8) Meditate. Meditation is calming. It also helps to see life and its challenges more accurately. Things are often better than they seem. Meditation can prevent your mind from making a situation seem worse than it really is.  Find it difficult to meditate?  See our tips here – or scroll YouTube for a guided meditation that interests you.  Spending as little as 5 minutes focusing on your breathing or switching your thoughts to something peaceful can be enough!

9) Avoid trying to change others. Believe it or not, this is a very common mistake many of my clients make.  The fact is, you CANNOT change anyone!  Period.  It’s hard enough to change yourself...don't waste your precious energy on trying to change someone else! 

It’s important to take care of yourself mentally and physically. Eat properly, exercise, and be true to yourself. Be assertive and take control of your life. All the accomplishments in the world can’t replace inner peace. Avoid chasing after those things that society has determined to be important. Decide for yourself and live the life you were meant to live. 
 
As my wise son says, “You do you, Mom!”  So, to all you amazing folks out there…YOU DO YOU!  Being true to yourself is the greatest way to find inner peace, but we often need steps to get there.  Hope you found this helpful!  New Moon Self-Development Center coaching is always here if you need any help along the way. :)

Scientists once believed that the mind and the body were separate, that one didn’t influence the other. Today we know that isn’t the case. Your stress levels and general mental state can have profound effects on the effectiveness of your immune system.
 
Although we tend to think that our immune system mainly deals with illnesses like the flu or the common cold, this incredible system of protection reaches almost all facets of our bodies.  With auto-immune disorders rapidly on the rise, we can all benefit from understanding how stress and environmental factors affect our daily lives and how they impact our immune systems.  One profound step you can take in improving your longevity is to look at your thinking and stress levels.
 
Enhance your outlook and boost your immune system:


1) Cortisol is an enemy of the immune system. During times of stress, the level of cortisol rises in the body. The body recognizes this increase as an indicator of the fight or flight response and responds by limiting other body functions, including the immune system.

Prolonged stress keeps the immune system in a compromised state, which increases the likelihood of getting sick or developing more serious immune disorders.

2) Positive social interaction has the opposite effect. Enjoying time with others has been shown to lower stress hormones and boost immune activity for several hours afterward. Get out and enjoy time with other people.

3) Listening to relaxing music or getting a massage is also beneficial. Anything that’s relaxing, without being harmful, seems to have a positive impact on immune function.

Make a list of the activities that you find relaxing. Try to do a few of the items on your list each day. Ensure that you find a few items you can do in the car and at work.

4) Stress has also been shown to increase the risk of developing immune-based diseases. These include arthritis, psoriasis, eczema, asthma, MS, vitiligo, and lupus – to name a few. New studies are showing that inflammation is a common theme within immune-based diseases and is an auto-immune response to stress and other triggers in the environment. In time, it’s believed that science will show that many other diseases immune-based and, therefore, are influenced by stress.

5) Laughter has a powerful impact on immune function. Record the shows that make you laugh and try to watch one each day. Read a few jokes from a book or online during your breaks at work. Spend time with funny people! You’ll get the benefit of positive social interaction and laughter.  Even the act of smiling has enormous impacts on our mental state – so hike up those cheeks!  : ) 

6) Practice gratitude. Giving yourself a little reminder of the great things in your life will boost your mood and your ability to fight disease. This is a quick exercise that can turn your mindset around quickly.

7) Use positive affirmations to enhance your mood. Positive thoughts lead to positive feelings. Repeat positive affirmations on a regular basis, especially during periods of stress. Keep your mind occupied with something positive. Make a list of positive affirmations that resonate with you.

8) Be successful. Experience success by setting goals you can reach. Big, audacious goals are great, but be sure to have a few easier goals, too. Be happy with your small successes. Your immune system will reward you, too.

9) Exercise patience. Impatience creates stress. Relax and make good use of the extra time. The time will pass regardless of how you spend it. Take advantage of it and stay calm.

10) Be happy! What makes you happy? Figure it out and spend more time doing it. Read, knit, dance, meditate, grill outdoors, go on a picnic. These aren’t frivolous things. They make life enjoyable and keep you healthy.


Avoid underestimating the impact your mood and mindset can have on your immune system. Optimism, happiness, fun, love, and success keep your immune system in good working order. Scientists are only beginning to understand the impact of psychology on physiology. Being happy and positive doesn’t just feel good, but it also strengthens your health and wellness.