How to Develop a Peaceful Mind for Greater Happiness

So often, our unhappiness isn’t caused by our circumstances.  Rather, we are unhappy because our minds are not at peace.  That is why it is critical to learn how to develop a peaceful mind.

For example, I once knew a man who seemed to have everything.  He had a kind wife and a sweet child.  He had a good job and friends.  There was nothing objectively wrong with his life… 

And yet, he was always unhappy.  He was mentally not at peace, and as a result, he couldn’t enjoy the beautiful life that he had been given.  Instead, he continually was frustrated with his life and with everyone around him.

As with this gentleman, happiness can elude us when we don’t have a peaceful and relaxed mind.

Below are ways to develop a peaceful mind.  Try following these approaches and see how much happier you can be!

To Develop A Peaceful Mind, Be Grateful

No one’s life is perfect.  We all have problems.  And if you focus too much on your problems, you will lose your peace of mind.

For example, yesterday, I had a minor work-related problem.  It wasn’t a big deal, but I was irritated about it.  And I allowed myself to spend an hour being frustrated over a minor problem.  That was an hour of my life that I cannot get back!

This is what I should have done:  I should have ignored the problem.  It wasn’t a problem that I had the power to solve, so focusing on it was pointless.

Instead, I should have made my peace of mind my priority.  I should have shifted my focus to those things for which I am grateful, such as the fact that my daughter is happy and healthy.  Or the fact that I have a kind, thoughtful and easy-going husband.

Realize that if you want to have a peaceful mind, gratitude is key.  You need to shift your focus from those things that irritate you to those things for which you are grateful.  The more you think about the ways in which you are blessed, the more at peace you will be.

Learn How to Redirect Your Thoughts

Very often our circumstances don’t disrupt our peace of mind.  Rather, our thinking is the problem.  Our thoughts can lead us to feel worried, frustrated or angry.  That is why gaining control over your thoughts is so very important.

So, when you find your thoughts going down a negative rabbit hole, take concrete steps to get your mind back to a positive and peaceful place. 

The first step is to acknowledge that your thoughts (not your circumstances) are disrupting your peace. 

The next step is to snap your mind back to a positive place.  There are lots of ways to do that.  For example, you might watch a short comedy show which makes you laugh and puts you in a better mood.  Or, you could read a good fiction book which transports you to an idyllic time and place.

Alternatively, if the weather permits, consider going for a walk.  For example, in order to keep my peace of mind, I take my dog for a long walk each day.  I happen to live in a bucolic area, so during my walks, I’ll hear the birds singing and the wind rustling through trees.  I may see squirrels scamper around, and on occasion a deer may run by.  When I am immersed in nature, it helps my me to get my mind back to a peaceful state.

Know that we all have frustrated or angry thoughts on occasion.  That is normal.  The key to having a peaceful mind is to be able to move past these thoughts quickly and revert back to a calm and settled state of mind.

Love Peace More Than Conflict

We all know people who thrive on conflict.  They are the folks who enjoy being at war with their friends and family members.  They struggle to be at peace with others.

The truth is that we all could spend our days being upset with other people.  After all, as human beings, we don’t always agree with each other.  And sometimes we have to deal with the insensitive things that other people say and do.

But if you want to cultivate a peaceful mind, you have to give up being upset with people all the time.  Instead, you have to choose to be a peaceful person – even when you are angry, frustrated or annoyed with other people.

That isn’t easy to do.  It takes self-control to turn the other cheek.  And it takes self-control to bite your tongue.

However, if you want to have a peaceful mind, you can’t spend your time arguing with other people.  Admittedly, it may feel good to tell another person off who has upset you.  But when you do so, you are sacrificing your peace of mind for a momentary satisfaction.

Better to value peaceful relationships with others so that you can achieve your higher goal of having a peaceful mind.

To Have A Peaceful Mind, Take Time Each Day to Relax Your Brain

Unfortunately, at times, the world can be a demanding and stressful place.  Between work, paying our bills, and housework, we have a lot of responsibilities.  In addition, other people vie for our time and attention. 

Given the busyness of everyday life, it is easy to get mentally wound up.  So, to maintain a peaceful mind, every day you need to give your brain a break.  That means taking time each day to relax your brain.

Meditation and prayer are two terrific ways to mentally relax.  The key is to find some solitude and a place to sit still.  Then you can either quietly pray or meditate on your own, or you can listen to a guided prayer or meditation.    

The key to relaxing your brain is to just stop.  Stop doing, thinking, worrying and planning.  And instead, give your brain some time to do absolutely nothing.  When we give our brains the time to relax, we are better able to have peaceful thoughts toward others and the world generally.

If you are seeking to develop a peaceful mind, consider using the approaches above.  The more grateful, calm and peaceful your mind is, the happier you will be. (To read about how to have peaceful relationships, click here.)