As discussed in previous articles, mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which an individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a meaningful contribution to their community.
A mind at ease, a calm mind, being comfortable in your own skin, being content without strife and inner turmoil can have a powerful impact on one’s mental and physical wellbeing.
Do you have peace of mind?
- Are you calm?
- Do you have a calm approach to life and its challenges?
- Are you comfortable with yourself, with who you are?
- Do you have a quiet confidence that doesn’t need you to show off or show others up?
- Are you honest, authentic and real in your interactions with others?
- Are people comfortable around you? Do you help others have better peace of mind?
- Do you bring calm into situations?
Benefits of peace of mind on mental and physical wellbeing
Peace of mind influences our physical and mental health as well as our relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
- Physically, peace of mind can help us sleep better, it is linked with lower blood pressures and muscle tension
- Mentally, peace of mind reduces stress and anxiety, we are less likely to self medicate our inner turmoil with alcohol and substance use. We can think more clearly, we are more flexible and adaptable in our thinking. We can tolerate frustration better when things do not go our way
- Socially, we can be more authentic and real in our relationships, we can manage relationships calmly. We are better able to focus and concentrate at work and we can be more productive
What can affect our peace of mind?
- Anxiety causes us to worry excessively or uncontrollably and this will affect our peace of mind
- Depression results in sadness, irritability, fatigue, loss of motivation and drive that can make it difficult to maintain peace
- Alcohol and substance use challenges causes psychological and social disruptions that affect our peace of mind
- Psychotic mental health disorders affect our thinking, our perception of reality which can disrupt our peace of mind
- Chronic illness can cause us to get frustrated and mentally exhausted and this affects our ability to have peace of mind
- Grief and loss will often shake our belief system and our perception of life and this can affect our peace of mind
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Impact of a lack of peace on our wellbeing
- Physically: lack of inner peace can result poor sleep and insomnia, it can make it difficult to maintain a healthy blood pressure and other stress related health conditions
- Mentally: lack of inner peace can cause stress and anxiety and alcohol and substance use as self medication for inner turmoil
- In our relationships: lack of our own peace of mind can cause a lack of harmony in our relationships and strained relationship
- In our environment: when we lack inner peace we can affect others around us, our work and home environment causing chaos, confusion, unnecessary tension and even disrupting the peace of mind of others
How can I regain my peace of mind?
- Take time to reflect and become aware of your thoughts and emotions, to be emotionally aware, acknowledge when you are distressed
- Avoid bottling in difficult emotions, find healthy ways to manage difficult emotions including talking to a professional if needed
- Connect authentically with others and build a healthy social support system
- Determine what you can control and what you cannot control in life, send more energy on what you can control, learn to let go off what you cannot control
- Make time for exercise and spend some time disconnected digitally to help calm the mind
If you think that you or someone that you know maybe struggling with a mental health problem linked to a lack of inner peace, please contact your nearest health care provider and get help.
*Dr Chido Rwafa-Madzvamutse is a consultant psychiatrist. Feedback on WhatsApp: +263777727332
This article reflects the author’s own views and opinions