I think the entire world could probably benefit from a little more peace – inner and outer peace, that is. If you think about the last time you felt truly peaceful in your mind, in your heart, in your home, or in the city you live in, you might be surprised to find that there is more restlessness and worry than true, life-altering peace.

Perhaps this is a sign of our times right now. We’ve become such a hurried, fast-paced, almost anxious society. We expect things to happen so quickly and as a result it can be really easy to place those same pressures on yourself. I was definitely caught up in this for a long time, until it started to take its toll on my health.

That’s when I knew I needed to changes things, and change them significantly, right away.

Peace is a lifestyle, and it’s one that you have to choose for yourself. When everyone else is going faster and harder, you might have to choose something different for yourself, especially if speeding up and pushing creates a separation from you and the state and feeling of peace.

I take time every single day, even if it’s only for a few minutes at the start or end of my day, to slow down, connect with myself, and place my finger squarely on the pulse of peace.

I take baths and hot showers. I journal frequently and I take walks everyday. I do things to connect with my body, like Pilates and yoga, stretching and even rolling my body on a foam roller. I even take the time and care to wear pretty panties every day.

I know it might seem silly, or completely unrelated (really Alicia? Wearing pretty panties helps you connect to peace?!?), but taking care in what I put on my body –especially that layer of clothing that rests right up against my skin – always makes me feel beautiful, powerful, confident and at peace.

I’m also a big fan of using scents to create a mood. Organically scented candles, bath salts, essential oils and even a select natural perfume or two – these are all little details that set the tone for my day and help create the context within which I live my life. And ladies, the context is so important!

All of these things are a part of my lifestyle, and it’s one that I have slowly cultivated and made very natural for myself. My husband is even on board! In fact, he indulged in a hot bath with essential oils just last night. I love watching him take such great care of himself. It has a huge and positive impact on our relationship when he does.

He even knows just how to pamper me on my birthday, as you’ll see from the photo above. Pretty panties, bath salts, a gift card for a facial and a little something from Tiffany’s, too. He understands that when I am connected to myself and to peace, that he benefits, too.

How could staying connected to peace transform your life? And how will you invite peace into your day, today?