Whether or not you experience mental illness, you need to take time to care for your mental health. Each of us can practice daily routines and habits that will help us decrease stress. For those that do have symptoms of a mental illness, these practices will help with symptom management. Taking time for your mental health also helps you refocus on God and connect you with your spiritual journey.
Here are some tips for cultivating peace in your life:
Slow down
When we look at the life of Jesus, we see a very different era and culture. I do not think most of us can truly imagine life without electricity. Or cars. Or gadgets that speed up every task we have to do. Try to picture a life in which you walk everywhere, slowly. You go to bed when it gets dark and rise when the sun does. Our bodies were designed to live at this pace, and in our modern society we have pushed our bodies to the limits. Jesus lived slowly, and even though this was in a different historical and cultural context, I think there is much we can learn from the pace at which Jesus lived life.
Connect to the Spirit
Another regular habit that Jesus displayed was connection with the Father. We have that same connection available to us through the Holy Spirit. One of my favorite verses is found in 1 Corinthians 2:15-16: “Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, ‘Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?’ But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.” I find it amazing to think that we have the ability through the Spirit to know and understand the Father’s thoughts. Aligning our minds with His directly allows us to cultivate peace in our lives as we rid ourselves of foolish or distorted thinking.
Attend to your surroundings
If you are living in chaos (relationally, in your schedule, or in your physical space) it will be very difficult to find peace. Relational conflict, chaotic time management, or living in a messy space will disrupt the inner peace. Often, your outward surroundings are a reflection of what is going on inside your heart. And often inner peace can be cultivated by taking care of the things in your outer environment. Taking time to clean up, organize your schedule, or resolve a conflict with a friend are ways to cultivate peace in your life. Tying up loose ends helps your brain feel finished, and you may find your sleep and mood improve. Simple things like lighting a candle, putting on soothing music or having some fresh flowers in the room can also go a long way to creating a peaceful space.
Peace grows in our lives when we actively work to develop it. Any fruit of the Spirit must be planted, watered, and nurtured in order to bear fruit. As we expand our hearts and minds and surrender to God more and more, we open up more space for the Spirit to dwell.
