Protecting one’s peace means preserving your physical, mental and emotional health. Protecting your peace is and should be a priority. As I continue on my Self Care Journey, I’ve learnt to choose my peace in several situations because choosing peace is choosing me.

Protecting one’s peace is necessary for a healthy self-care regime as well as a healthy and functional social environment. Protecting your peace can be as simple as saying no when you are expected to say yes, logging out of Instagram for a few days or even just turning off your phone and taking a nap.

Protecting your peace means choosing peace every single day. Life can be chaotic at times but with these tips you’ll be off to a great start. Here are the 5 Ways To Protect Your Peace.

1. Be Intentional

Being intentional is possessing the capacity to make specific plans for the future and become committed and focused on making those plans a reality. Intentionality is an acquired skill and can be honed by making daily plans. When we are intentional about our plans, we are more likely to avoid situations that run in direct contravention to those plans and thus avoid peace drainers.

2. Be Comfortable Saying No

Say it with me ” It’s okay to say No”! And it really is.

Protecting your peace will sometimes require you to say No even though persons may be expecting a yes. Persons will be disappointed or upset but honestly that’s okay. Protecting your peace will be more rewarding.

3. Ignore

This can simply mean ignoring a rude comment from a colleague or family member or ignoring an offensive work email, but I guarantee you that just like the comfort you will feel from saying No, ignoring negativity will afford you a greater sense of joy and fulfillment.

4. Speak Up

Protecting one’s peace will often require assertiveness. Speak up and make sure that you set clear boundaries in both your personal and professional life. Be assertive and let persons know when you are uncomfortable and when they are crossing boundaries and infringing on your peace.

5. Walk Away

Protecting your peace will often require you to leave people or situations behind. It can mean leaving a toxic work enviroment because it is not conducive to your goals; It can mean leaving a verbally or physically abusive relationship or it can simply mean leaving a group chat or a conversation because it is draining your energy.

Remember, above all else, protect your peace.

Maintaining a healthy work life balance is essential to the protection of your peace and the cultivation of proper self-care habits. Find ways to destress and to detach from the stress of work and life generally.

Above all else, CHOOSE PEACE!