How To Live A More Peaceful Life With These 19 Simple Tips

This article is a guest contribution by Cora Gold from Revivalist. Read more about her at the bottom of this article.

Finding peace in everyday life can feel like an impossible task. You may be constantly juggling responsibilities and facing challenges, which can leave you feeling overwhelmed.

However, living a more peaceful life doesn’t have to be out of reach. Imagine waking up each day with a sense of calm and clarity, ready to embrace whatever comes your way. Sounds good, right?

It’s about making intentional choices that put your well-being first and developing habits that keep you calm and centered. This article will guide you through simple yet effective strategies on how to live a more peaceful life.

What Exactly Is A “Peaceful Life”?

A peaceful life goes further than just avoiding stress or conflict, as these are inevitable parts of life. It’s about finding a sense of calm and contentment in your everyday life.

Peacefulness means handling challenges without getting overwhelmed and making choices that keep you balanced and centered. It’s when you feel in control of your thoughts and emotions, allowing you to stay calm even when things aren’t going perfectly.

Living peacefully also involves creating a positive environment around you. It’s about spending time with those who uplift you, enjoying the little things and not letting unnecessary worries take over.

A peaceful life focuses on what really matters, letting go of what doesn’t and making room for simple joys and moments of quiet. It’s an ongoing effort to live in a way that brings you peace — within yourself and your surroundings.

Defining What Peace Means To You

Before I start sharing the tips, I first want you to think about what peace genuinely looks like for you. Is it mornings spent with a good book? Is it the sound of nature on a weekend hike? Or maybe it’s just enjoying some quality time with your friends without distractions. Everyone’s version of peace differs, and that’s perfectly okay.

Take a moment to jot down your reflections on peace. Are you chasing fewer arguments, calmer mornings, or less stress in your day-to-day? Clarifying what peace means for you lays the ground for creating a lifestyle that feels more grounded and fulfilling.

19 Simple Tips On How To Live A More Peaceful Life

Living a serene life involves a few key practices that help you find balance and calmness. Here are some steps you can take.

Prioritize What Truly Matters

In our fast-paced world, it’s all too easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of daily distractions. That never-ending scroll through social media feeds? It might give an illusion of connection, but when you step back, does it truly compare to the laughter shared with friends over coffee or a deep conversation with a loved one?

It’s essential to take a moment to reflect on your core values—those beliefs and principles that guide your decisions and shape your happiness. Once you identify what matters most to you, you can start to make conscious choices about how to spend your time.

This might involve setting aside those late-night binge-watch sessions in favor of calling a friend you haven’t spoken to in ages or rediscovering a passion for painting that you’ve neglected.

Simplify Your Life And Commitments

A peaceful life is often a simple life. Start by focusing on what really matters to you and letting go of the rest. This could mean decluttering your home, cutting down on unnecessary commitments, or streamlining your daily routines.

Reflecting on your commitments can reveal a busy calendar filled with obligations that don’t resonate with your true self. Perhaps you’ve said “yes” to every invitation or taken on projects at work that don’t excite you.

It’s okay to prioritize your well-being by gently saying no when something doesn’t align with your goals or passions. Reducing the noise and chaos around you creates more space for peace and clarity.

Simplification allows you to focus on what brings you joy and fulfillment rather than getting hounded by distractions.

Be Mindful And Present

Living a more peaceful life depends significantly on your ability to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is about being fully present in the moment rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. When you practice mindfulness, you can approach life’s challenges with a calm and focused mind.

This doesn’t mean ignoring your troubles but instead facing them calmly and with a sense of control. Simple practices like deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or pausing and reflecting can help you stay grounded and maintain inner peace.

Exercise: When you sip your morning coffee, for example, try focusing entirely on the warmth of the cup, the aroma wafting up, and the rich taste on your palate.

By dedicating just a few minutes each day to such practices, you cultivate an appreciation for the little things—turning fleeting moments into lasting happiness and a more peaceful existence overall.

Surround Yourself With Positive People

The people you surround yourself with significantly impact your sense of peace. Positive relationships — those that are supportive, encouraging, and free from drama — can help you feel more at ease and secure.

On the other hand, toxic relationships can drain your energy and create unnecessary stress. To live a peaceful life, prioritize relationships that uplift you and set boundaries with those that don’t.

This might involve spending more time with loved ones who make you feel good and less time with people who bring negativity into your life.

Get Some Fresh Air

Spending time outside is a simple yet powerful way to bring more peace into your life. The fresh air, natural light, and connection with nature can instantly lift your mood and reduce stress. One great way to enjoy the outdoors is by creating a garden.

Starting with herbs is a fantastic option if you’re new to gardening since they’re easy to grow, and many are perennial, meaning they’ll come back year after year. If you have more space, consider planting a vegetable garden. It’s a tranquil hobby that also provides fresh, homegrown produce you can add to meals.

If you’re not interested in gardening, you can also go for a short walk, a leisurely hike, or just sit on a park bench to restore your sense of calm.

The benefits of regular outdoor activities extend beyond mood enhancement—they also have well-documented physical health benefits, from improved cardiovascular health to increased energy levels.^[1]

Prioritize Taking Care Of Yourself

Remember that taking care of yourself is not selfish; it’s a necessity for a peaceful life. Self-care is essential for maintaining peace. This includes your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Self-care goes beyond pampering yourself — it’s also about ensuring you have enough energy and mental clarity to handle life’s challenges.

This could mean scheduling time for a workout, enjoying a relaxing bath, or diving into a book you love. But also a balanced diet, enough sleep, and enough time to unwind are important factors in how peaceful you feel.

Finding balance is crucial—it’s important to carve out time for self-reflection and relaxation in your busy schedule. So, yes, when I said scheduling time I meant it. Plan time in your agenda for self-care activities!

Keep Your Stress Under Control

Stress is inevitable, but how you manage it makes all the difference in living a peaceful life. Developing healthy coping mechanisms — such as breathing exercises, meditation, movement, or spending time in nature — can keep stress from overwhelming you.

Recognizing when you’re stressed and taking proactive steps to manage it can prevent it from spiraling into something more serious, like burnout. The key is to find what works best for you and make it a regular part of your routine.

Chronic stress puts you at risk of several health issues, including weight gain, heart disease, depression, digestive issues, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and sleep disturbances.

Set Boundaries

Setting boundaries is about protecting your time, energy, and mental health. It’s OK to say no to things that don’t serve you or add extra stress to your life.

Whether at work, with friends, or even with family, clear boundaries help you maintain control over your life and reduce the risk of burnout and other health conditions.

Don’t forget that respecting your boundaries is not just self-care; it’s also teaching those around you how to treat you. Many find it liberating to craft a personal mantra they can repeat when feeling pressured to exceed their limits, helping them stay grounded and connected to their goals for a peaceful life.

Get Rid Of Visual Clutter

Visual clutter isn’t just about mess; it’s about the mental burden that comes with it. Getting rid of visual clutter can greatly impact your sense of peace and well-being.

When your environment is filled with unnecessary items, it creates chaos and overwhelms, making it harder to focus and relax.

Start by identifying areas in your home or workspace that feel cluttered and take small steps to clear them out. Ask yourself: do I have items that no longer serve me, are outdated, or were perhaps gifted but don’t resonate with my life? Keep only what feels meaningful.

Small steps might mean organizing your desk, donating items you no longer need, or finding a designated place for everything. It’s important to start small if decluttering feels overwhelming to you.

Once your space is refreshed, you’ll likely find that it not only looks better but feels more peaceful, fostering a calm atmosphere that nurtures your well-being.

Leave Time Between Tasks Or Appointments

In our goal-oriented culture, the temptation to fill every moment with tasks or appointments can lead to a lot of pressure and stress. If you plan everything too tight, you probably see yourself running from one appointment to the other, with a meeting and other deadlines in between. Not fun!

If one thing takes a bit more time than you initially expected, you’ll feel behind and rushed all day long. Instead, try to schedule more time between tasks or appointments and meetings. These mini-breaks offer a moment to breathe—ensuring you transition smoothly between activities.

A simple strategy might involve scheduling your appointments with an intentional buffer of at least 10-15 minutes. This allows not just for travel, but also for quiet moments to gather your thoughts or simply breathe deeply.

Single-Task; Don’t Multi-Task

We’ve all been conditioned to think that multi-tasking is the hallmark of efficiency, but the truth is quite the opposite. Engaging in multiple tasks at once can split your focus and lead to a lack of fulfillment in each endeavor.

Instead, adopting single-tasking allows you to immerse yourself in one activity fully. Whether it’s cooking dinner or drafting an important email, when you dedicate your complete attention to one task, you can enjoy the process and achieve a higher-quality outcome.

Moreover, you’ll likely notice a ripple effect; when you feel accomplished in one area, you’ll find motivation to tackle other tasks with the same singular focus.

Limit Technology Distractions

In our hyper-connected world, it’s all too easy to find ourselves overwhelmed by technology. That’s why implementing a digital detox can significantly enhance your peace of mind.

To start, consider designating certain hours of the day as tech-free zones—perhaps during meals or right before bedtime. This will not only help you be more present with those around you but will also allow your brain some much-needed downtime.

Research shows that constant notifications and screen time can increase anxiety, so giving yourself permission to unplug can do wonders for your mental state.^[2]

You could even replace your tech time with calming activities such as reading, meditation, or simply enjoying nature. Your mind will thank you for the break, and you may even rediscover hobbies you once loved but put aside in favor of digital distractions.

Make Use Of Filtering Features On Social Media

Social media can be a source of both joy and stress, depending on how we interact with it. Take charge of your digital consumption by using filtering features to manage your social feeds.

Many platforms allow you to mute or unfollow accounts that create negativity or feelings of inadequacy. Instead, fill your virtual space with content that uplifts and motivates you—be it inspiring quotes, educational materials, or posts that celebrate positivity; this is your sign to follow We Mind Growth on Facebook and Instagram.

You might even consider engaging more with communities that share your values, interests, or aspirations, as these connections can provide a soothing sense of belonging that further adds to your inner peace.

Don’t Worry About The Future

It’s such a common tendency to become overwhelmed by thoughts of what tomorrow might bring. However, indulging in such worries can prevent you from enjoying today.

Practicing mindfulness can be tremendously helpful here. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or even just taking a moment to appreciate your surroundings can keep you grounded in the present moment.

Exercise: Each time an anxious thought about the future arises, gently redirect your focus to what’s happening right now.

Visualizing your daily successes—no matter how small—can bolster your confidence and help you tackle tasks as they appear. Remember, the future is uncertain for everyone, and worrying about it won’t change outcomes. What you do have control over is your present, so make the most of it!

Manage Your Money

Financial woes can sneak into the corners of your mind and disrupt your tranquility, but tackling them head-on can bring a profound sense of peace. Try to work on your money mindset if money stresses you out.

Start by evaluating your spending habits and creating a budget that aligns with your financial goals. There are many user-friendly apps available that can help you track expenses seamlessly; just a few minutes a week can provide clarity on your finances.

Additionally, setting tangible savings goals can help create a more secure future and alleviate anxiety. Perhaps you want to save for a vacation, a home, or an emergency fund.

Whatever it may be, visualizing your progress can transform your relationship with money from a source of stress to a pathway toward freedom.

Stop Trying To Control Everything

Life is a series of events, some of which we can influence, but many we cannot. Understanding the distinction between the two is a vital step towards achieving inner peace.

For instance, you might want to control how others perceive you or how certain circumstances unfold, but the reality is that your energy is better spent on the aspects of life you can affect, such as your thoughts, actions, and reactions.

To let go of this controlling mindset, try practicing mindfulness or meditation; these techniques allow you to observe your thoughts without attachment.

It’s All About Quality, Not Quantity

When it comes to relationships and experiences, the depth of connection often matters far more than the number of interactions or activities you partake in.

Consider your friendships: it’s far more meaningful to have a handful of true friends who understand and support you than a long list of acquaintances who don’t genuinely connect with you. It’s about the joy found in shared laughter, the support in challenging times, and the encouragement of mutual growth.

Similarly, in hobbies, focusing your time on those that ignite your passion can lead to a richer life. Rather than diving into every available option, choose a few that truly resonate, whether it’s painting, hiking, or volunteering.

Live Up To Your Core Values

Living authentically is a significant part of achieving a peaceful life. Defining your core values—like honesty, compassion, integrity, or respect—provides you with a framework through which to evaluate decisions, engage with others, and navigate life’s choices.

When you align your actions with your values, you cultivate a sense of trust in yourself and the world around you. This internal alignment leads to a more consistent and authentic life, reducing internal conflict and stress.

For example, if one of your core values is community, finding ways to participate, whether through local events or helping neighbors, will not only bring fulfillment but also strengthen your bonds with others who share similar convictions.

Take some time to reflect on what truly matters to you—write them down, revisit them regularly, and let them guide your path.

Slow Down, Literally

It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, constantly racing from one task to another. However, embracing a slower pace can dramatically enhance your quality of life.

Making a conscious effort to slow down allows you to appreciate the little things—a soaring bird, the warmth of the sun, or the flavor of your food.

Consider incorporating small rituals into your routine, like taking a mindful moment before meals to express gratitude or indulge in the taste and texture of your food.

Exercise: Walking—especially in nature—can also provide an opportunity to connect with your surroundings and clear your mind.

By letting go of the idea that busyness equals productivity, you can slow down and genuinely enjoy life’s moments, leading to greater happiness and peace.

Live A Simpler Life

Living a peaceful life is an ongoing journey. It requires a continuous effort to simplify your surroundings, manage stress, and nurture positive relationships.

As you incorporate these practices into your routine, you’ll discover that peace is something you can cultivate, no matter what life throws at you.