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If you are a member of Earthly Essentials ~ The Community, gratitude & peaceful living are topics that we previously addressed in our Saturday Coaching Video Sessions. If you are not a member, I encourage you to head on over to join in on many more in-depth topics of holistic health, wellness, and self-awareness & growth with a community of empowering individuals.
We live in a frustrated world.
A world full of tension, aggravation, impatience, and misunderstanding. In a me-first world, it becomes difficult to live in peace. This tense world has caused us each to live frustrated, on edge, and agitated. Let’s be honest for a moment- sometimes we find ourselves making excuses or placing blame. Why? Because we live in a bottled-up society.
This is no way to live!
In a world full of chaos and tension, are you focusing on maintaining a life of gratitude & peace?
We’ve talked a lot about the mental health aspects of your wellness journey since the beginning of The Community and this is for a very good reason. There are numerous areas of mental health, all of which are deeply intertwined. It is crucial to the success of your wellness journey that you focus on strengthening areas such as happiness, stress management, motivation, and positivity.
But where do gratitude & peace land?
These two things are equally important in the mental health portion of your wellness journey. Both involve shifting your mindset away from the negative patterns of thought that you may find yourself accustomed to. Most of the time, these behaviors and thought patterns are learned, and anything that can be learned can be unlearned with the right tools and mindset. These changes, which include finding yourself living with more peace and gratitude, will lead you to reach your greater sense of mental & emotional well-being.
What does it mean to live in peace?
When you live in a peaceful state of mind, you are able to live without experiencing the emotional and mental disturbances that derive from stressors that you experience. Maybe these stressors are work-related or health-related. Maybe they stem from relationships with others or even the one that you have with yourself. Stressors are everywhere.
But when you can shift your mindset towards living peacefully you will find yourself experiencing more tranquility. You feel a sense of calm which allows your life to slow down; even during the busy moments, you are overcome with a calmness that guides the direction of your mind, heart, and actions. Living peacefully also allows you the ability to better understand yourself on a much deeper level.
We were meant to live in peace!
On a spiritual level, peace is mentioned many, many times in the Bible. It was God’s intention for us to live both with peace and in peace.
Turn away from what is bad and do what is good; Seek peace and pursue it.
~ Psalm 34:14
And yet, another example…
On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith
~ Galatians 5:22
Peace also has a direct effect on our physical self.
When it comes to brain functions and peace, there is a direct connection that should not be ignored. In stressful situations, living more peacefully allows the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSNS) to perform better and bring the body out of the “fight or flight” mode which can trigger anxiety, depression, and PTSD, especially when experienced for an extended period of time or in extreme situations.
More technically, the PSNS aids in the release of a hormone that slows down the heart rate, it lowers blood pressure by allowing the blood vessels to widen and increase blood flow more easily, and also aids in the reduction of an increased respiratory rate. But the PSNS also plays a role in the digestive process; by sending extra blood to the stomach and reducing the stress put on the body, the digestive system is able to function at an improved rate.
Living peacefully definitely is something that you want to include as part of your wellness journey and goals.
Things to practice to bring peace into your daily life…
- Deep Breathing exercises
- Meditation & Imagery
- Get outside
- Vitamin D has shown to support the autonomic nervous system (includes the PSNS)
- Allows you to connect with nature- after all, we are a part of nature and the entire Earthly system
- Natural aromas stimulate and relax the brain & body systems
- Slow down more often & enjoy the little things
- Be mindful on a daily basis
- Live each day with Gratitude!
How a grateful heart can impact your life
Defined, gratitude is:
The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Gratitude and your health
Gratitude increases your feel-good chemical hormones. The release of endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin allows your body to function better. You experience less anxiety, depression, and emotional imbalances. In addition, chemicals such as oxytocin are released which not only works as a feel-good hormone, but it also aids in the alleviation of pain. That’s right, happiness plays a role in pain relief!
The happiness experienced from being grateful allows you to combat stress much easier as well. In fact, many scientific studies show that being happy helps you be healthier. On top of aiding in mental health and pain, happiness promotes longer life expectancy, boosts your immune system, improves sleep, strengthens stress management, and is great for the heart!
Small ways to live with gratitude
- Express your joy out loud
- Be thankful for the smallest of things
- Make sure to express love and gratitude to family and friends daily
- Give back every chance you have
- Find gratitude in the negative too. Believe that everything serves a purpose
Strive for a life full of peace & gratitude!
You must ask yourself: Am I living each day with peace and gratitude?
Watch the Live Video Replay- Gratitude
Watch the Live Video Replay- Peace
Remember, you are your biggest advocate and changemaker on your wellness journey! I would love to work with you one on one or see you join Earthly Essentials ~ The Community and join in on our live coaching sessions, Wellness Wednesdays, and so much more on Holistic, yet Realistic, Health & Wellness.