How to Achieve Inner Peace

Co-authored by Chad Herst, CPCC

Last Updated: March 20, 2023 Approved

Do you want to achieve the calmness and serenity that comes with inner peace? No problem; anyone can! All you need to do is let go of the stresses and strains of daily life and make time to just be. But remember that finding inner peace is a process - so take it one day at a time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Peacefully Caring For Yourself

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1
Soothe and replenish your spirit. Quiet your mind. Sit quietly to free and empty your mind of thought.
- Rest frequently. Find a comfortable spot to unwind, relax or take a nap. Being well-rested is crucial to your mental and emotional well-being.
- Learn to meditate. Mindfulness meditation will help you to focus on your spiritual wellbeing, and can ease the anxiety and stress that hinders your inner peace.^{[1]
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- Free yourself of stress and worries.
Inner peace is easier to achieve when you simplify your life and your to-do list. Try not to do everything at once. You can do anything you want, but you don’t have to do everything at once.

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Take your time. Achieving inner peace is a process; take the time to experience and enjoy your own personal journey. Don't be discouraged if the process takes a while; there is beauty in the process of becoming.
- Especially if you are recovering from emotional or mental trauma, allow yourself to experience the process of recovery. You can achieve inner peace and live a purposeful, self-directed life when you take the time to recover fully.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Developing a Peaceful Perspective

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Be patient. Remember that inner peace develops over time. Fluctuations occur throughout the day.
- There will be moments that you feel more peaceful than others. Remember that you are a work in progress, and although you are always changing you are beautiful in every moment.
2
Experience the current moment. Think only of what is at hand. Think less about the past or future. Today is different from the past.
- Being mindful of each moment can help you feel centered, calm, and peaceful. Try a guided meditation through a website or app, like Headspace or Calm.
3
Try not to prejudge. It is easy to allow negativity into your mind by expecting or fearing unknown situations. Let go of bias and expectation. Be open to experience.
- Letting go of the need for control will help you feel peaceful with life's unpredictable circumstances.^{[3]
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Be happy. Take time to do the things that make you happy. Satisfy your desires.
- Following your own path is the road to inner peace. Try reaching out and connecting to others. This can help you feel peaceful and content.^{[4]
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Have pride. You are who you are. Take pride in your individuality.
- Accept yourself for who you are. Self-acceptance should be unconditional: you deserve to love yourself, strengths, weaknesses, and all.^{[5]
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Be content. Find contentment in where you are, who you are and what you are doing.
- Accepting your life as it is and yourself as you are will help you to feel inner peace.^{[6]
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Take responsibility. Rectify your errors when possible. Relieve your mind.
- Everyone makes mistakes. To feel peace, you should admit when you are wrong.^{[7]
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Your worries will drive away inner peace; focus on the positive in life to remain peaceful and in control.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Letting Your Inner Peace Influence Your Relationships

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Be private. You can keep things to yourself. So much stress comes from talking about problems with others. While its always ok to share with others if that feels peaceful and freeing to you, never feel obligated to talk about your problems or journey unless you want to. Let no one interfere with your inner needs.
- Avoid gossip. Friends who want to talk about others or who leave you feeling drained are toxic to your emotional health.^{[8]
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Be kind and courteous. It warms your heart as well.
See the beauty in everyone and everything. Noticing what is good about others, instead of what is bad, will help you to feel peaceful with the world.
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Fall in love. Fall in love with everyone you meet. Enjoy the spirit in others.
- Caring for others can bring peace to you. You can also care for animals, which can help you feel valued and loved.^{[9]
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5
Avoid negative people. Limit time spent with people that make you feel negative in any way.
- Remember the famous saying, "He who angers you, controls you."

Expert Q&A

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Question

What can I do to stop bad thoughts?

Chad Herst, CPCC
Mindfulness Coach
Chad Herst is the Executive Coach at Herst Wellness, a San Francisco-based wellness center focused on Mind/Body Coaching. Chad is an accredited Co-Active Professional Coach (CPCC) and he has been working in the wellness space for over 19 years, with experience as a yoga teacher, acupuncturist, and herbalist. He received his BA from Columbia University and his MS in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.

Chad Herst, CPCC

Mindfulness Coach

Expert Answer

Be aware of how you react physically when prejudging. Sometimes, your body prejudges something before your mind does. Negative self-talk is usually associated with an unpleasant feeling in your body, but by learning to identify that feeling, it will be much easier to quiet those negative thoughts.

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Tips

Avoid negative people. Limit time spent with people that make you feel negative in any way.

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Find a therapist. Consider seeing someone to talk to about your inner feelings. You can find inexpensive therapists anywhere. You can also talk to any really close friend(s) that you trust, about anything that is bothering you.

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Don't wait for appreciation from anyone but yourself.

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