I had fun with this post.

I usually talk about topics that are heavy and deep, but this one is lighter.

This topic is one in which I think about every single day.

Mindfulness, which is the act of staying fully present in the moment, has many mental health benefits. If you’ve read my articles in the past, I write extensively about the power of mindfulness. It’s been a cornerstone of my healing trauma from my past and managing my anxiety and depression. 

Yet many people still aren’t exactly sure of how mindfulness relates to their life – what mindfulness activities constitute as mindfulness? The answer varies depending on who you talk to, but almost any activity can encompass the practice of mindfulness. 

A few questions to ask yourself when thinking of mindfulness activities:

What activities tend to pique my interest?

What activities fill me with a sense of joy?

After you’ve answered both – you’ll have an idea of what mindfulness activities to pursue.

 

50 MINDFULNESS ACTIVITIES YOU CAN PRACTICE

  1. Focus on your breath 
  2. Lose yourself in a novel
  3. Go for a long bike ride
  4. Clean a room in your home
  5. Meditate
  6. Focus on the sensations within your body
  7. Watch a sunrise
  8. Cook or bake your favorite meal
  9. Play a board game with family or friends
  10. Practice gratitude for the people you love 
  11. Listen to a song that lights your soul on fire
  12. Go for a peaceful hike 
  13. Do a set of pushups
  14. Stop and smile for no reason
  15. Enjoy the water of your morning shower
  16. Play your favorite video game
  17. Watch the birds interact with each other
  18. Follow a plane in the sky
  19. Call your best friend and catch up
  20. Walk outside and breathe the fresh air
  21. Sit by the ocean or body of water
  22. Hit the links and go golfing
  23. Pay close attention to the bottoms of your feet as you walk
  24. Listen to a comedian you dig
  25. Enjoy a small bonfire with your friends 
  26. Close your eyes and envision your future self 
  27. Thank a hero in your life
  28. Hit some balls at the batting cage
  29. Work on a puzzle
  30. Create a self-challenge
  31. Practice gratitude for the food you have to eat
  32. Make a list of your weekly goals
  33. Take a quick trip on the treadmill
  34. Volunteer at a nonprofit near and dear to your heart
  35. Lose yourself in a good movie
  36. Get some yard work done
  37. Call an old friend you haven’t spoken to in awhile
  38. Take a swim or dip your feet in the water
  39. Discover new music on a streaming service
  40. Close your eyes and feel your current emotion
  41. Describe everything in your current environment
  42. List all of your dreams
  43. List all of your fears
  44. Sit up straight and practice good posture
  45. Throw a football or baseball around
  46. Kiss that special someone for no reason
  47. Walk into the woods and stare at a tree for ten minutes
  48. Go to a Yoga class
  49. Watch a sunset
  50. Play a card game

 

IN REVIEW

The critical ingredient of mindfulness activities is to get lost in the present moment. Worrying about the future and ruminating over the past brings us unneeded pain and suffering. But focusing on the present moment brings a level of clarity and peace of the mind. If you have a tough time focusing, you may want to speak to a mental health professional or a doctor. But start with practicing mindfulness by focusing on your breath. The quicker you can master that, the more you’ll begin making mindfulness your default state of mind.

 

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Brad has been a blogger since 2013 and a Certified Anxiety & Mindset Coach since 2021. Over his 15 year career Brad has developed many skills by working for several start up companies (including his own) as well as hosting a podcast interviewing former athletes and entertainers. During this time he also was gaining knowledge and learning the tools to manage and reduce anxiety, develop healthy and sustainable habits, and improve mindset. In 2019, Brad decided to use both his business acumen and mental health knowledge to help others by launching Upplifter.

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