“Assalamu Alaikum” is an Arabic greeting that translates to “Peace be upon you.” Muslims commonly use this greeting to wish peace and well-being upon others. However, wishing one another peace is not restricted to Muslims. In fact, after His resurrection, Jesus Christ greeted his disciples three times in John 20, saying, “Peace be with you.” So, why is peace so important, and how does it affect our overall health and well-being? And how can you fight to keep your peace and your health?
Have you ever been around someone who steals your peace? Someone who stresses you out in ways you cannot even describe. They may engage in constant drama, hostility, gossip, or manipulative behaviors. Unfortunately, being around such people can affect your mental, emotional, and even physical health. In addition, circumstances like work stress, anxiety, or worrying about our health, finances, and family may steal our peace. Therefore, you must work hard to remain calm because peace and health are deeply connected. So, how can you keep your peace to stay healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally? But first, what does peace mean to you?
What is peace?
Peace is the freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, or stress. Unfortunately, life is a series of stressful events and circumstances. Therefore, to remain at rest, we must learn how to free our minds from the stressful events that bombard us daily. But first, why is keeping your peace important to your health and well-being?
Health reasons to keep your peace
1. Lower stress level
Stress is harmful to your health. It can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, digestive problems, anxiety, depression, and a host of other diseases and conditions. However, staying calm will help you manage stress and avoid these conditions.
2. Better sleep
A restless mind will cause your sleep to suffer. And poor sleep can lead to weight gain, hormone imbalance, inflammation, and other adverse conditions.
3. Less anxiety and depression
The mind and body are interconnected, and a peaceful mind is crucial for maintaining good mental and physical health.
4. Lower blood pressure
By maintaining a calm attitude, you can lower your blood pressure, which, in turn, supports heart health and reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.
5. Stronger immune system
When you stay calm and quiet, your body produces immune-boosting substances that help fight infections and promote overall health.
6. Promotes graceful aging and longevity
A peaceful mind prevents accelerated aging and helps you live a longer and healthier life.
What steps can you take to keep your peace?
Normal life circumstances and people will purposefully or inadvertently test us. However, you can stay calm and maintain your tranquility by doing the following:
1. Establish a peaceful bedtime routine and create a quiet sleep environment so you can sleep better.
2. Engage in activities that promote relaxation, such as spending time in nature, reading, or listening to calming music.
3. Practice mindfulness, including prayers, meditation, and deep breathing exercises. Studies show that these activities can lower your blood pressure. Check out “13 Ways Meditation Can Improve Your Health” for more about how prayers and meditation benefit your health.
4. Nurture positive relationships and improve or avoid negative relationships that drain you.
5. Practice gratitude by reflecting on the positive aspects of your life, big or small. Being grateful for the positives in your life helps free your mind from stress, worry, and anxiety. Moreover, studies show that gratitude promotes peace of mind and reduces depression. For more on gratitude, check out “Thankful for the Little Things.”
6. Have faith and believe there is light at the end of the tunnel. Stay hopeful, believing that everything will sort itself out. For more on why and how to remain hopeful, check out “Keep Hope Alive.”
Final thoughts
In our stress-filled world, prioritizing peace is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity for our health and wellness. So, how do you deal with stress and keep your peace? My number one go-to is prayer and meditating on the word of God.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then, you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7 AMP).
Although I was born to Christian parents, I grew up with family members and friends who were Muslims. Therefore, I heard the popular greeting “Assalamu Alaikum” daily, although I did not understand it then. Now that I know the meaning and the importance of peace in our lives, it is indeed an excellent wish to bestow on others. Moreover, it’s a great reminder to let go of our anxieties and worries and stay calm instead.
Undoubtedly, we sometimes face situations that will challenge our peace. For example, we can feel overwhelmed by a bad medical report or the loss of a loved one. However, at such times, I encourage you to pray and put your hope in the promises of God’s Word.
Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge (John 14:27 Amp). Amen!
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Yours in health and fitness.
Doctor Abi
