Peace of Mind

Obtaining and maintaining peace of mind is essential to our overall functioning and well being as individuals. Since March 2020 we have been introduced to new challenges, new perspectives, new ways of “doing life”. We have been challenged to compensate, adjust, react, reach out, distance, organize, and reorganize in an ever evolving way.

People in all stages of life young to old, student to retiree have made adjustments to their way of living life. Some have been required to distance by staying in the home for work and school or to protect themselves due to pre-existing conditions or age. Others have had to adjust to following CDC guidelines while performing duties in the workplace or school with ever changing demands and challenges. Some who stayed in the home found themselves extending work hours beyond normal boundaries into their personal lives often losing sight of their own needs for self care and rest. Others found themselves isolated from social interaction and support. Some people were actually able to embrace the time to focus on personal health goals and self care. Information being received from various sources began providing conflicting, confusing, and at times misleading, partial or incorrect information that has added stressors to many who have been trying to manage a state of “new normal” that initially was to be a short term inconvenience.

While the impact of the experiences of the last fourteen months has reached unmeasurable levels - one constant remains. As the Dalai Lama posted on Twitter May 14, 2021, “Gradually people are beginning to recognize that peace of mind has an important role to play in our day to day lives. Mental afflictions like anger, fear, and frustration detract from our good health, so, all seven billion human beings alive today need peace of mind here and now.” As a holistic practitioner the foundation of my practice and my own life is built on the overall well being of each individual. It can not be underestimated how sleep, diet, exercise, and mental well being peace of mind impacts each and every one of us on a daily basis. I often hear from clients how surprised they are that the slippery slope of the loss of good habits has had a tremendously negative outcome on their overall functioning, taking away their ability to sleep- focusconcentrate- taking away their ability to effectively manage their overall daily functioning.

With all good manners and intent, self care and healthy habits have been encouraged and in particular recently in celebration of Mental Health Awareness month across all venues across the globe - reminding us these habits are essential to overall well being. Yet, for many, once the good habits have been sacrificed for meeting demands of the ever evolving new way of living life in the “new normal” change is difficult and may seem even insurmountable. Conceiving the idea of going back to an old way of doing things seems impossible. I believe it is important to validate this concept that going backward to an old way truly is not the answer to instilling true change. Instead, I encourage clients to embrace a new style of life and seek small steps to mold this new life into a new way that includes self care and well being. Possibly that is a brief routine of being mindful in the morning and evening when you wake up and go to bed practicing pranayama breath. Alternatively, it could be intentionally being present during a walk or exercise routine. Of vital importance is addressing a sleep routine- turn off electronics an hour before sleep, practice relaxation, listen to guided relaxation or white noise to relax the nervous system.

Last but very much not least of all, my clients truly enjoy journaling, whether it’s a Gratitude journal to improve negative thought patterns, a Task journal to write down daily responsibilities and combat racing thoughts, or a journal to track patterns of fear and anxiety my clients find this tool a great resource to begin steps toward well being. Tiny, small and consistent changes in routine that are manageable, attainable, and set us up for success are most likely to have profound lasting effects.

Personal habits are difficult to change, with small steps and consistency you can achieve clarity, generate energy, improve effectiveness and find peace of mind.

Written By: Darcy L. Coleman, M.Ed., LMHC

Darcy is located in SWFL and specializes in treating Trauma, Anxiety and Mood disorders with clients K12 through adulthood both in person and through Telehealth private practice. She earned her Masters of Education at the University of South Florida, Tampa, FL and has been a Licensed Practitioner in the State of Florida since 2002, a Qualified Supervisor and Crisis management trainer.