How to Train My Mind for Peace

Having a steady, peaceful mind amidst all the chaotic events in life is something that many of us strive for, yet it seems to elude us. Every time we encounter an adverse event--a busy traffic jam, an argument with a colleague or family member, or even beginning a challenging task--our inner discord boils over and consumes us, shattering the calm and peace we so desire.

But it doesn't have to be this way. We can learn how to cultivate and maintain inner peace, no matter what life throws our way. The key is understanding a simple concept – emotional mastery. Being able to lead our feelings instead of being led by them allows us to regain control of our minds and, ultimately, create peace from within.

Emotional mastery is developed over time, requiring us to practice certain habits, skills and techniques regularly until they become second nature. The good news is that the following steps are fairly straightforward and simple to master and begin implementing into our lives.

The first step is to understand your unhealthy or destructive emotions. All of us experience strong emotions, including anger, jealousy, stress, and frustration. It's important to recognize which emotions you gravitate towards, as some of these emotions can actually have a negative impact on our health, relationships and overall well-being. For instance, feeling stress comes along with physical effects, such as fatigue and headaches, while anxiety creates problems with focusing, leading to errors and poor decision making. Once we recognize our unhealthy emotions, we are then able to better control them.

The next step is to build upon our strengths and weaknesses. For example, if you struggle with managing stress, identify techniques and activities which help you relax. This could include taking a walk outside, snuggling up with a good book, practicing mindfulness or engaging in meditative practices. If you're working on calming anger, look for ways to increase patience and compassion within yourself. Engaging in compassionate conversations and reframing our emotions rather than reacting can help.

It's also important to remember that inner peace does not come without balance. Developing a healthy routine helps us stay centered and balanced during the different stages of our day. Having a balanced daily routine can bring us more energy and help us manage our stressful thoughts. Getting enough sleep, eating nutritious food and engaging in physical exercise are great starting points. For example, taking an hour out of your day to do some low-impact exercises such as yoga can be incredibly beneficial.

Last but not least, we must strive to make sure our environment supports our goals. Surrounding yourself with positive people, places and items that bring you joy and uplift you should be a top priority. Clean out your home or desk to remove any items that make you uneasy or stressed. Seek out meaningful conversations and projects that give you purpose and pleasure. These conscious changes will lead to a mental transformation and prepare our mind for greater ease and peace.

Train your mind to experience peace and tranquility not just as a fleeting moment, but as a way of life. Learning how to master our emotions takes practice and dedication, but when done well it brings about better focus, improved relationships, increased happiness and a greater sense of clarity. By putting yourself at the center of your life and understanding the power of emotional mastery, you'll soon find yourself soaring to higher heights with a much clearer perspective and an inner calm that—no matter what life throws your way—can't be disturbed.