Live Healthy Live Well

When we hear PEACE – we think “Peace on Earth” or “Peace within our family” or “Peace between countries”. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes Peace as “Quiet and tranquility” or “Harmony in Personal Relationships”. Let’s think about how we can have personal PEACE in our lives.

P – Use the P to remind you to spend time with the People who mean the most to you. This is likely your close family members and a few special friends. Think about when was the last time you called or wrote a card to your grandparents, great aunt, or other aging family member.  Are you spending your work time with people you “like”? Try making a new work friend – someone you can eat lunch with or grab a drink or coffee with after work.

 E- The breath cycle actually begins with Exhale, so the longer the exhale, the deeper the inhale. This will often help you to relax and reduce stress. For more information on this check out the resources on Mindfulness below.

A – Think of Anticipation with the letter A. Research in the field of neuroscience has shown that the part of the brain responsible for feeling pleasure is activated when we just think about doing something we enjoy, or anticipate it. Consider thinking about eating your favorite dessert or traveling to an exotic location, daydreaming about it is actually good for you. Remember when you were young you probably daydreamed about all kinds of exciting things, what is stopping you now? Use that time you are in the car to daydream about something you anticipate doing and don’t spend too much time anticipating something bad happening – like a plane crash when you are flying.

C – Check-off, make a list and check-off items as you finish them. Completing items on a list (be it a written list or one put in your handheld device) brings success. Choose one system for tracking and stick with it for the most success with completing tasks.

E – Think Education with the final E. No matter what our age, it is important to keep learning. Studies show that engaging in cognitive learning at any age is important. So what are you going to do to learn something new? Read a book, take a class at the community college or your church, join a card or book club, encourage your children to sign up for that course they have been talking about, or sign up for a new opportunity at work.

So what are you going to do to bring about personal peace? I plan to daydream a little more, sign up for that training session I have been putting off, and spend more time with my family.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic, “Mindfulness Exercises”, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mindfulness-exercises/MY02124.

Social Science Research Network, “If Money Doesn’t Make You Happy, Consider Time”, http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1706968.

The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/mediaroom/releases/pages/’use-it-or-lose-it’-applies-to-brain,-not-just-body.aspx.

Author: Lisa Barlage, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Ross County.

Reviewer: Michelle Treber, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Pickaway County.