Quarter 2 2022 Mindfulness Activities

No matter who you are or where you’re from, the Covid-19 pandemic will likely have impacted you in one way or another. Many of us in office based roles will have noticed a change to our working routine, with remote and hybrid working becoming far more common than it previously was. As we continue to move out of the pandemic, many more of us have now started to return to offices, moving away from a remote working model and towards a hybrid working model. This may differ for each person, but in most cases this will likely involve being in the office maybe one or two days a week and then working remotely for the rest of the working week.

With this change comes a challenge; having to yet again adapt to a new working routine. A hybrid working model may offer the best of both worlds to certain people; the added flexibility of being able to work from home on certain days whilst also being able to meet with colleagues in person on other days. However, this still constitutes a routine change which can take some time to adapt to and can create stress. Perhaps the busy morning commute is something you didn’t miss when working from home!

Whim discusses what has been achieved by those using his method, with achievements such as the climbing of Mount Kilimanjaro in record time and in just shorts! Whilst these achievements can be hard to believe, the book does go through the level of scientific evidence and research that supports his claims. Naturally there will still be sceptics to his approach but the mounting evidence is making it difficult to challenge.

Perhaps then, alongside all of the change that we’ve experienced over the last two years or so and the added stress created by this, it isn’t surprising that the practice of mindfulness has been gaining in popularity as a means of reducing stress, soothing anxiety, and achieving a more present and engaging life. Within this article, we look at some simple ways in which mindfulness activities can be embedded into your daily routine whether you’re an adult, teen, or child. The everyday mindfulness activities below offer plenty of opportunities to slow down, get present, and be more aware of yourself and your surroundings.

This book sets out very simple methods and ways that we can boost our mental resilience and overall happiness. The athletic performance benefits that are shown in the book are truly incredible, such as the change in our bodies enabling us to deal with altitude changes quickly. The book also outlines that the method has been able to reverse diabetes, relieve the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and help manage a number of autoimmune illnesses. Whilst these claims are massive, the methods are simple and easy to build in to a daily routine. It’s clear to see why Whim is quickly gaining recognition around the world and his fans and followers are growing. Why not try a cold shower a day and see if Whim’s claims are right that a cold shower a day keeps the doctor away!

Walking meditation:

This is exactly what it sounds like; a form of meditation you practice whilst walking, either in a straight line or in a circle. The beauty is you can do this almost anywhere, whether you’re walking to work, taking a stroll around the block, or whilst with your children in the park.

Mindful eating

This is a way to turn something you do every day into a mindfulness practice. You can make mealtimes more mindful with a few basic practices, like listening to the sizzle of your pan and chewing slowly to savour every bite. Other mindful tips you may want to try include:

  1. Eating with your non-dominant hand
  2. Focusing on the aromas, textures, and flavours of your food
  3. Turning the TV off and putting your phone away whilst you eat

Mindful gardening

This is a great way to practice mindfulness and connect with nature at the same time. Set yourself a simple task like watering some flowers or planting some seeds. As you do so, place your hand in the soil and feel its texture; is it damp or dry, warm or cool? Allow yourself to enjoy the process as if you were a child playing.

Single tasking

You guessed it, this is the exact opposite of multi-tasking! All that’s needed is showing up fully to whatever task you’re working on. If you’re working on a computer, focus on one task at a time. As part of this you may want to close all browsers that aren’t relevant to the current task at hand. This can help free up mental space and create stronger focus. To deepen the practice, focus on:

  1. How you’re breathing
  2. How your body feels in your seat
  3. The structure and posture of your body

Mindfulness activities can be incorporated into almost anything you can in your daily life as a way of inviting calm, presence, and connection into your life. Why not try one of the above activities to see what impact these can have for you?