A Sense of Peace

[DDNatureLover]

On top of having anxiety and panic attacks related to PTSD, I am somewhat of an introvert. This neighborhood has gotten increasingly louder over the years that I've lived here. Initially, it was a fairly quiet, peaceful place. The neighbors would have get togethers, of course, which didn't bother me, because they were more family oriented, rather than loud, drunken bashes. The few dogs on the street were fairly quiet, and were walked on leashes, or let out into back yards on occasion, and otherwise kept in the houses. The flavor of the neighborhood has changed somewhat, though, and it's no longer as peaceful as it once was, which has increased my anxiety, especially lately.


Since I've been under a lot of stress and also haven't been feeling well, that has increased my anxiety and stress level significantly, and so I decided to take a few days for myself. Although I read a little every day, I hadn't taken a day or two to really immerse myself in a good book. I mainly read the free books on Amazon via Kindle, and some of them are o.k., while others don't hold my interest. I got a nice library book that's gotten many positive reviews, and yesterday, I settled myself on the couch in the cool living room, under the ceiling fan. I made a nice pot of tea, and spent about 4 hours just reading and blocking out the outside world. The combination of a good book and getting away from technology seems to have calmed my soul and given me a sense of peace that I really needed.


What gives you a sense of peace?

 

[MellowCat]

HI there, thanks for posting this topic. I understand where you are coming from with the noise. Excessive noise is one of the things that still gives me anxiety often, though other areas have gotten better.


Reading is also a great way for me to find peace. Escaping into a good book, especially a novel, really gets my mind off the noise/surroundings, as well as out of my own negative thought patterns. Currently I am reading a cozy mystery novel called Hooked On Murder. It's a mystery with a crochet theme, which is really up my alley.


Another thing I find very helpful is taking long walks. Although I sometimes get bombarded with loose dogs, which can make me very anxious too, if I go at the right time of day or the right direction, usually I find a nice, quiet walk that calms me down and soothes me. This is also only when the temperature is cool enough, though, and there is not currently a lot of opportunity to walk with the summer being so hot here in Kentucky this year.


What are you currently reading, DDNatureLover ?

 

[Hope&Joshua179]

I do identify with you in your desire for peace and quiet wherever peace can be had. It's good for you to be able to recognize or discern the things around you and the books you encounter that are most helpful to your at-the-moment emotional and state of your mind.


I get my sense of peace in the security, safety and protection I can provide my home and family. No, I'm neither paranoid, not fearful. I surround myself with people who represent hope and determined action to help make their lives and their community better. They have good influence on me.


Yeah, that's my sense of peace.

 

[rz3300]

Well I am pretty confident that it is one thing that we are all searching for, and one thing that many will tell you is unattainable. I would like to think that I am more positive, though, but the truth is is that I am not in most cases, which is really my problem when it comes to my social anxiety, but that is a me problem. I think that my own sense of peace comes with my overall surroundings, and if work and home and filled with people I know and appreciate, then I can get that sense of peace. Any little change tough usually is enough to disrupt it, though, which is frustrating.

 

[kgord]

I like to hang out with my pet. I find that very calming and soothing. I also just like to hang out with the cat and watch Netflix. I realize I practice a lot of escapism, but it is something I enjoy. It isn't hurting anybody so why not? I love to swim too, and sometimes when I am in the water, I can experience that escape..and peace. Also, I used to camp a great deal, and being outdoors and in nature can also allow me to feel peaceful and at one with the universe.

 

[djordjem87]

As an introvert I can feel your pain. I learned to live with loud people because I really just feel there is no point in doing anything. I live in Serbia so there is no point to ask nicely because they are going to be even more loud. I also have panic attacks and anxiety problems and it is always a fight. I saw somebody mentioning a pet and I can say that is a great idea. My pet friend is Joe. Joe is golden retriever and he is the best friend you can find. I mean really, the dog is superb being in all possible ways. Also you need to find yourself and that means exploring your inner self and your senses. Try several things and if you already know what is helping you, just go with it.

 

[lexinonomous]

The way that I find peace is very similar to the way you find peace. In order for me to clear my mind and escape from my thoughts, I have to step away from technology and pick up a good book. Sometimes, I will find peace while driving and listen to my audio books. It allows me to concentrate on something other than my troubles. Occasionally, I will find peace through video games- but they have to be fairly calm. There is a game called Flower that allowed me to calm my mind. The objective was kind of silly, but the idea of listening to classical music and swaying around with flowers was very relaxing to me. I might try meditating a bit as well.

 

[NormaD]

Nothing beats a good book or movie when you want to shut the world out. I can get so lost in a good story that I won't be found for hours on end. I can sit down with a good book and before I know it, six hours have passed and I didn't realize. It's amazing how you can just enter another magical world and sort of get transported there mind and soul.

 

[justsayyes]

I'm an introvert as well and i do love to get lost in a good book. Reading is my main way to escape the real world. I totally understand where you're coming from. Life can be tough sometimes and we need something that could distract us from obsessing over our problems from time to time, getting lost in a book or movie or anything that lightens you up can only be a good thing.

 

[Sue]

For me I receive that sense of peace by spending time with nature, whether it is hiking, camping or hanging out at the beach. Just being outside and enjoying the simply things in life makes me feel relaxed. There is just something do soothing about nature and it's surroundings. I do like to he alone do hiking is my favorite way to feel that sense of peace, I will hike up a mountain and then just sit there and take in the view and enjoy that moment if peace and quiet.

 

[kgord]

Yes, nature is great for being soothing, and I find it peaceful to spend time away from the daily grind. Nature is one of the go to places I can go to feel relaxed and at one with the universe. It is simply one of the ways to rejeuvenate myself and feel good. It is a way to feel at one with the things around me. I really like and enjoy speinding time when I am getting relaxation and destressing when I am out in nature.

 

[DDNatureLover]

MellowCat I've read a few of the Cozy Mysteries, but never one that involved crochet, although I do crochet. lexinonomous That's interesting, I've never heard of that game. I do love flowers. I like some classical music, but not all, but I might look for that to see if I would like it. I could definitely use a few new tools in my arsenal. I lost my sense of peace when the dogs next door tried to attack something in the middle of the night.


Pets definitely can be a calming influence. Mine will often do things that make me laugh, which helps a lot with the stress of daily life. I also derive peace and enjoyment when I cook or bake something special. Everyday cooking of meals doesn't bring the same sense of accomplishment. I think I might make a batch of homemade ice cream soon. I haven't done that in a while, and I enjoy the process of making it, as well as feeling a sense of satisfaction with the end product.

 

[sidney]

I love to sleep, so it is the "activity" that mainly gives me a sense of peace. Daydreaming also makes me feel serene. I've never been an outdoor kind of person, so going to hike or to the beach to relax never really appealed to me. I can tolerate the sound of cars, but not people shouting or talking loudly, since I also live in a noisy neighborhood.

 

[NormaD]

Meditation has really helped me in this regard. I now experience more of that sense of peace and well-being than ever before. I am calmer and I can deal with situations in a more rational way. I have a long list of things that I llike to do that help me find my inner peace, and that list includes reading, meditating, watching funny movies and singing along to some of my favorite tracks. Oh and exercise really helps me.

 

[PurplePanda999]

Along with reading, I listen to dramas on Internet radio. My local NPR station used to have a program where actors read stories. My only problem is that they put me to sleep.


Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

 

[misszerable]

I feel I deeper sense of peace when I am on vacation in the countryside where my father owns a huge lot with lots of trees and a little vacation house. I love to be away from the city sounds for a few days and I do appreciate that in the countryside, people sleep as early as 8 o'clock in the evening and wake up at 5 am. There's no television, no internet connection, and I would normally just catch up on sleep. Those are really blissful days and I plan to retire in that property when the right time comes. 

 

[kgord]

It sounds like people here have a lot of positive ways to cope with stress and anxiety. It is always nice to have a way to cope. This is the way that you can feel whole again. It is just one of the methods that you can use to calm yourself and feel renewed. I think it helps to keep anxiety and bad feelings at bay.