In a scenario when the people around you are panicking and flustered. Chaos is raining; how do you react? And how does it make you feel?
Do you think it is impossible to remain calm in a storm? It may not be easy, but it is possible.
In a situation you cannot control, it is possible to remain level-headed and calm and merely observe the chaos around you instead of feeling overwhelmed.
Of course, certain chaotic situations might be more difficult to remain calm in than others.
Step out of the drama and be the director of your own life. That's the kind of analogy you can think of when you try to comprehend what it is like to find inner peace. Even though you may be in the midst of the chaos, you are an observer and have control over your emotions and reactions.
The Serenity prayer* reminds us that we should be calm in situations we cannot control and possibly change the things we control.
Why is inner peace important?
Most people today are highly strung and, therefore, default to having the amygdala in control most of the time. To function at our best, our prefrontal cortex needs to be in control. When stressed, our primitive brain centre, the amygdala, takes over. This is good for physically stressful situations when reacting or taking action is necessary to survive or prevent harm to ourselves or others around us. Physiologically, we know that stress is 'unhealthy' for our body and mind.
More specifically, stress harms our minds – when stressed and in 'fight or flight mode', the amygdala is in control. This is our more primitive brain. It is excellent if you have to act without thinking. However, it acts on past experiences and instincts. It is usually reactive without thinking. This is good for physical danger, like avoiding a car accident, running away from danger, and in situations where you have to think fast, but not necessarily intellectually. It is also a highly emotional part of the brain. It acts based on feelings and emotions rather than logical thinking.
Our prefrontal cortex is used to make logical decisions and think creatively. It is linked to executive functions such as self-control, planning, decision-making, problem-solving, and learning new skills. This part of the brain can help us control our emotions and actions. The prefrontal cortex is usually dominant when we are calm and relaxed.
Two people can go through the same or similar path in life and have different experiences – one person could become completely overwhelmed. In contrast, the other person can cope with the drama that is going on
around them. Depending on the person, it is easier to find peace in certain events and situations than in others. For example, in a room full of angry people, one person might take on the room's energy and become
angry, while another may have a more stoic approach and remain calm. For example, when there are many tasks to complete, one person may become overwhelmed, and another might find it easier to approach the tasks without feeling overwhelmed. To improve when you feel stressed, you first need to be aware of your actions (or feelings), then strategize how you will approach the situation(s) so that you do not feel overwhelmed or stressed and can execute plans better.
There are a couple of things you can do to switch over to having the prefrontal cortex as your brain's 'primary operator'. In essence, it's about practising an "Inner peace" mindset.
Here are some tools to use to create that mindset shift:
- Awareness and mindfulness mindset: Face your fears. Specifically, identify what is making you feel stressed. If you can control or change the situation, implement ways to do so. How can you accept or make peace with it if it is beyond your control?
- Teachings, meditations, mantras, books, podcasts, and practice what you have learnt. There are many resources on how to find peace and calm. Find something that resonates with you and actively implement those strategies and lessons.
- Spend time in nature. Take time out to relax and do things that you enjoy.
- Meditate
- Breathe: Breathing can reset your nervous system to parasympathetic mode, also known as rest, repair, and digest.
If you can find inner peace, you can function at your best, even in a stressful situation.
"Inner peace begins when you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions".