12 Simple Daily Activities To Practice Mindfulness

It’s a typical Thursday morning, and the familiar routine unfolds: you make your regular breakfast, pour your coffee into your favorite blue mug (even though you have five more others tucked away in the cupboard), brush your teeth, and drive to work in a blur of autopilot motions. As evening falls and you perch on the edge of your bed, you find yourself lost in the monotony of your daily life. Sounds familiar?

What if I told you that within these seemingly mundane daily activities lies an opportunity for mindfulness?

But what on earth is mindfulness?

You might be thinking that mindfulness means sitting cross-legged on top of a mountain or that you need to be a meditation pro to be able to practice it. Fear not, because mindfulness is not only for those who can spend several hours sitting on a cushion with their eyes closed. You don’t have to be. In fact, being mindful can be easily incorporated into our daily lives. Being mindful simply means “bringing your attention to the present moment”. It’s all about the gentle curiosity we have for the moment, right here and now. Our days are filled with constant distractions and a never-ending to-do list, and I believe that mindfulness can serve as a much-needed refreshment to our busy lives.

In this post, I will share with you 12 mindful approaches to the seemingly mundane daily tasks in our lives. From washing the dishes to walking the dog outside, we’ll explore how these simple activities can be gateways to mindfulness. How they can make your day more calm and with a greater sense of clarity.

 

 

Before, I always approach doing the dishes with a big sigh and wanting it to be over as soon as possible. But lately I realized that this seemingly boring household chore can be turned into a delightful mindfulness practice. As you stand at the sink with soapy suds and a mountain of plates, take this moment to fully immerse yourself in the act of cleaning. Pay attention to the rhythmic motion of your hands, smell the lemony scent of your dish soap or simply stare at the gleaming plates and cutleries. This is an opportunity to find inner peace and calm.

 

 

This is a ritual we do two or three times everyday. But also, a task we often rush through without a second thought. You can easily turn this task into a small moment of awareness. Allow yourself to be fully present as you squeeze that dollop of mint toothpaste on your toothbrush. Feel the bristles gently cleaning your mouth and gums. Notice the minty flavor of your toothpaste as it refreshes your taste buds. I really like this mindfulness practice because it is short and can be done in under three minutes.

 

 

The perfect opportunity to start our day is with a hearty and healthy breakfast. As you sit down to your morning meal take this moment to make your day more mindful. I make sure every morning to stay away from distractions of screens and the day’s worries. Whether it’s a piece of buttery toast, a bowl of fruity granola, or a plate of pancakes for my breakfast, I always remind myself that this is a moment just for myself. I know that with me being fully present while enjoying my breakfast this will set the tone for a lovely and intentional day ahead.

 

 

Perhaps one of my favorite ways to relax my mind is by taking a morning walk. I am by no means a morning person but when I do take a walk outside I really make sure appreciate the nature around me.

As you take every step, feel the earth beneath your feet, smell the scent of crisp air, or simply see the gentle morning sun peeking over the horizon. Sometimes after an exhausting walk just before I end my walk I like to close my eyes (in a safe place of course) and breath deeply, just feeling my surroundings. I take this moment to be grateful as well.

They say that cooking requires patience. I agree. It takes time to take out every ingredients, lay them down the counter, prepare them and cut them. Then you need to wait for several minutes or even hours for it be fully cooked before you can enjoy them. Sometimes our busy schedule makes us want to rush the cooking process making the act of cooking a very stressful time.

But we can turn this moment into a delightful mindfulness practice. Make a commitment to enjoy the process. Let the sound of sizzling pans and the chopping of vegetables become a music to your ears. Cooking is not just about feeding your body, but also nourishing your soul.

 

 

We all know the drill – waiting in line is an unavoidable part of our modern lives. Instead of fretting and fidgeting, let’s embrace it as an opportunity for a brief pause in our day. It’s like a small vacation from your hustle and bustle. As you stand there, waiting in line for that Starbucks coffee or your weekly grocery run take a break and soak it all in. Take a good look around. Notice the surroundings, or the people around you. Soak up the vibrant sounds. Seize the moment and savor every second of this pause button in your action-packed life.

 

 

07 Mindful technology use

Distractions, distractions, distractions.

In this digital age, where technology surrounds us at everywhere we look, it’s easy to get caught up in mindless social media scrolling and constant distractions.

But how can we turn technology use it into a mindful practice?

We can approach technology use to connect with loved ones and avoid useless interactions. We can use it to seek inspiration and experience meaningful learning. It is best to recognize when it’s time to take a break and step away from the screen. Always remind yourself that you are using it as a tool to enrich connection and your well-being.

 

 

As a child, I used to doodle a lot. For me it’s a fantastic way to focus and be present. If you love knitting, painting, or even building a Lego tower, engaging in simple crafts or hobbies offers a gateway to a state of mindfulness. As you immerse yourself in the process, notice how your worries fade away and you instantly become centered. Also, the time seems to melt away.

 

READ MORE: 10 Old-School Hobbies to Try If You Want to Get Out of Social Media

 

 

09 Cleaning Your Home

 

I’ve discovered that cleaning can also be therapeutic. Despite sweating and getting dirty, it becomes a valuable time for me to gather my focus and immerse myself in a single task. Beyond that, turning cleaning into a mindful practice allows us to fully engage with our environment, creating a sense of gratitude for the spaces we inhabit.

There is a saying that says “dust off your mind while sweeping the floor”. It suggests that cleaning and tidying our physical space, also frees our mind from distractions while bringing calmness and inner peace.

 

 

10 Commuting or Driving

 

Remember those times when you’re heading to work and suddenly realize you can’t recall the journey? Or ever had that moment when you zoned out while riding the bus home. It’s like you were on autopilot. As you slide into the driver’s seat or hop on public transportation always remind yourself to tune in to the road ahead. Notice the street lights or the landmarks you may not have really seen before along the way. Be aware of the colors passing by, the scents in the air. This is your chance to transform your daily commute into a small mindful adventure. Commuting just got lot more fun.

 

 

How many cups of coffee you consume each day? One or maybe two.

Savor the sweetness of life, one cup at a time. Let each sip be a reminder to slow down, appreciate the little things. Trust me, as you allow yourself to be fully present, savoring the experience like a cherished moment, every cup of joe is going to be an enjoyable one.

 

 

12 Getting ready for bed

As the day draws to a close and you prepare to sleep, the simple task of getting ready for bed can become a moment of mindfulness. I recommend that you write on a journal, even for five minutes. Be aware of what happened in this day and write it down. Or engage in your skincare routine knowing that this act of preparing for bed is a mindful gift you give yourself each night.

 

I hope these tips have inspired you to include awareness and intention into you daily routines. Also, that you discover that everyday mundane tasks can be transformed into mindfulness practices. As you implement these tips in to your daily life may each task become an opportunity for self-care, peace, and inner growth.