Ways to Practice Mindfulness – 51 ideas for everyday life (The Ultimate List)

There are many ways to practice mindfulness; you don’t need to dedicate any special time or particular place to practice mindfulness. You can make mindfulness a habit by incorporating a mindful approach into your life by practicing mindfulness during your everyday routine, whether it’s waiting, commuting, standing in a queue, walking the dog, or… washing the dishes. Try mindfulness with this ultimate guide to mindfulness practice in daily life.

Introduction to ways of practicing mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment without judgment. This means being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings here and now.

Mindfulness doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need a monk’s background, spiritual commitment, or years of practice before you can start practicing mindfulness. You can incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine and everyday life activities. Mindfulness is dose-related because it is a skill, and the more you do it, the more you will benefit from it. The most important thing is to start and work towards a regular practice of at least twenty minutes daily.

If you are new to mindfulness and want some simple practices to help improve your life in practical ways (and those around you), this is the list for you!

What is mindfulness? And is it meditation and breathing exercise only?

Mindfulness is a moment-by-moment awareness of thoughts, feelings, and sensations. Practicing mindfulness helps you explore your experience and expand your awareness of your inner world. Mindfulness practice enables you to understand how your thoughts, feelings, or sensations influence each other, as well as your mood and how you respond to the world.

The idea of mindfulness is to allow thoughts, feelings, and sensations to come and go without judgment or the need to do anything with them. It involves a gentle acceptance of whatever comes into your awareness at the moment. The more you practice mindfulness, the more you will understand how your thoughts, feelings, or sensations influence each other.

So basically, mindfulness is all about being aware of what’s happening around you and within you at any given moment. It’s about paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment.

Practicing mindfulness has many benefits, including reducing stress, improving mental well-being, and increasing self-awareness. Suppose you’re interested in giving it a go. In that case, there are many ways to get started – from attending a mindfulness course or workshop to downloading a mindfulness app or simply reading about mindfulness online. You can also incorporate mindfulness into your daily life by practicing it while doing regular activities, like eating, walking, or waking up in the morning.

What are the benefits of mindfulness exercises? [reasons for practicing mindfulness]

There are many benefits of mindfulness exercises, both when it comes to physical and mental health and overall well-being and life happiness. See the list of some mindfulness benefits.

• Mindfulness lowers the physiological markers of stress and improves the brain’s ability to manage stress.
• Mindfulness restores emotional balance and keeps the emotional brain in check.
• Mindfulness increases resilience to psychological stress.
• Mindfulness has been shown to reduce anxiety in adolescents and adults.
• Mindfulness can slow the progression of age-related cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
• Mindfulness has been shown to increase the connections in the parts of the brain that are activated when people remember the past or think about the future.
• Mindfulness can reduce symptoms of depression and recurrence of depression.
• Mindfulness can protect against the development of stress, anxiety, or later development of depression in adolescents.
• Mindfulness helps expand awareness of our inner world by uncovering our blind spots regarding patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior. This increased self-awareness can improve decision-making, academic achievement, and life satisfaction and help reduce emotional and interpersonal problems.
• Regular mindfulness practice can improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia and fatigue.
• Mindfulness improves concentration.
• Mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels.
• Mindfulness can help people live happier and healthier lives.

Tips for getting started with mindfulness in daily life [ways to practice mindfulness routine for day]

Practicing mindfulness in daily life can be sweet and simple. To get started with mindfulness, pick up a mindfulness activity or two and simply start practicing!

• Find a mindfulness activity that works for you: it’s essential! There is no one-size-fits-all approach to mindfulness, so finding a method that works for you is crucial. Try out different activities and techniques until you find something that feels comfortable and effective.
• Don’t try to achieve perfection with your mindfulness exercises. Don’t worry about perfection. Just focus on practicing.
• Take very tiny steps and make your goals accessible to guarantee success in mindfulness practice. Focus on setting realistic goals that you can achieve. This will help you stay motivated and consistent with your training.
• Learning how to be mindful takes time and practice. Mindfulness is a journey, not a destination, so enjoy the process!
• Be patient with yourself, and don’t expect instant results. Be kind to yourself and practice self-compassion.
• See the mindfulness tips for beginners for further guidance.
• Distractions can be challenging when practicing mindfulness, but there are ways to overcome them. It’s challenging to remain in the moment, but it is worth it if you want to practice mindfulness successfully.

Tips for sustaining a daily mindfulness practice [ways to simple mindfulness habit]

To sustain a daily mindfulness practice, make mindfulness your habit. You can make mindfulness a habit and a sustainable routine by incorporating it into your everyday life activities. Find inspiration with this ultimate mindfulness guide.

By taking tiny steps and incorporating mindfulness into your daily activities, you will be able to improve your mindfulness skills tremendously. Practicing mindfulness is practicing a skill, so the more you practice, the better the skill gets. Therefore, you need to practice daily to get better at it.

You can practice mindfulness anywhere and at any time. Practicing mindfulness is possible when listening to music, eating, drinking, or even brushing your teeth. Read more to find the 51 ideas for mindfulness practice during your daily activities.

Most importantly, remember that practice makes progress, and perfection is not necessary for progress – don’t get discouraged if things aren’t perfect; keep practicing!

It may be challenging to remain in the moment, but a mindful attitude will help you overcome challenges. Practicing mindfulness can help you stay focused and grounded in the present, so it’s worth giving practicing mindfulness a try!

Ways to practice mindfulness daily [mindful eating, listening, thoughts, senses, and more]

There are many ways to practice mindfulness daily. You can practice mindfulness by meditation, but as well you can practice mindfulness by incorporating a mindful approach into your daily tasks, like eating or preparing food. Here’s how.

51 easy ways to mindfulness life – the ultimate mindful thinking guide!

There are many ways to mindfulness life. You don’t have to become a monk, live a hermit life, and let go of everything. Instead, invite mindfulness into your everyday life. Practicing mindfulness may be included in your regular activities for a happier, healthier, and more mindful life.

I hope you will find it easier to start your mindfulness experience with this ultimate guide of 51 ideas on incorporating mindfulness into your daily activities.

How to mindfulness in everyday life?

If you ever found yourself asking yourself a question about how to mindfulness in everyday life, then this list of daily mindfulness ideas is for you! Take it, use it, and adjust it to what’s best for you.

Epic list of 51 ways to be more mindful in your everyday life!

1. When brushing your teeth, take note of the taste and texture of the toothpaste and the feeling of your teeth being brushed. Feel the sensations in your mouth as you continue brushing.
2. Wash the dishes mindfully – wash each dish with full attention, and feel the water on your hands and the texture of each dish.
3. Sit down in a comfortable position and focus on your breath. Bring all of your attention to the physical act of breathing. Notice with curiosity whether the inward and outward breaths are cool or warm, and notice where the breath travels as it enters and departs.
4. When eating, focus all your attention on how it feels to chew and swallow each bite. Feel the taste of the food, and notice its texture, shape, and form.
5. During a conversation, focus all your attention on the other person and what they say. Listen with total presence and without judgment.
6. When listening to music, focus all your attention on the sounds and how they make you feel. Try to hear each of the instruments.
7. While drinking your cup of tea or coffee, focus all of your attention on the taste and sensations as you swallow each sip. Feel the warmth in your hands as you hold the cup. Listen to the sounds around you and smell the aroma.
8. When you wash your face, focus all your attention on each movement and sensation as you cleanse and moisturize your face. Feel the water’s warmth and any aromas in the air. Listen to sounds around you, feel gratitude for having clean skin, and smell any scents in the air.
9. Have a walk outside, and focus on each movement and sensation as you place one foot in front of the other. Feel the movement of your body as you walk, listen to any sounds around you, feel gratitude for going wherever you want to go and smell anything in the air.
10. Focus on a particular object and notice all of its details. Choose an object to focus on. It can be anything around you, like a pen, a book, or a flower. Notice its colors, shapes, and textures. Notice the temperature, sounds, and the feeling of touching it.
11. Listen to calming music. Close your eyes and focus on the sounds, the rhythm, and the tempo. It can help you relax and destress
12. Notice your thoughts and feelings and write them down in a journal. Journaling 5 minutes a day is a great way to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life. Simply write down any important thoughts you might be having.
13. Hug someone. Feel the warmth of their body, the texture of the clothes, the strength of the hug, and the feelings accompanying the act of hugging.
14. Take a walk in nature and pay attention. Hear the sounds of nature and the surroundings. Feel the temperature, smell the air, and touch trees, bushes, or stones to feel the texture. Observe and notice the details.
15. Practice mindfulness breathing when waiting in the queue or the waiting room. You can try the 4-7-8 mindfulness breathing technique, five-finger mindfulness breathing, or 2-4 mindfulness breathing routine. Or simply focus on your breathing, the sensations of your body, and the feeling of each inhale and exhale. Or you can check our selection of 7 mindfulness breathing exercises.
16. Be mindful when cleaning your house or room. Start with acknowledging the intention and desire to clean. Take a moment to notice the feeling of wanting to get your room or home clean. Focus on the repetitive action of a task. Observer and notice the outcome of your action.
17. Look inside you, look around you, and write down three things you’re grateful for in the very moment. It may be about your feelings, moods, emotions, and surroundings. Everything!
18. Practice avoiding judgment. Be aware of your thoughts and accept them without judgment. Practice being compassionate, accepting, and non-judgmental with yourself and others.
19. Manage your time and energy wisely and mindfully. One way to do this is by setting boundaries with your time and commitments, so you can focus on what’s most important. Practicing this mindfulness technique in personal and professional life will help prevent burnout and allow you more free time for things important to you, whether at work or privately.
20. Take mindful breaks to destress and refocus. Dedicate a few minutes to yourself to relax and rejuvenate. Step away from your desk or task at hand, take a walk outside, look through the window or focus on an object like your favorite plant, painting, or picture. A mindfulness break will help you refresh and refocus so you can be more productive and focused when you return to whatever you are doing.
21. Be mindful of the present moment and appreciate what you have—express gratitude for the good things in your life, both big and small.
22. Practice mindful listening at work or school to become a better listener and improve your mindfulness skills. It is essential to be mindful of your interactions with others and to practice being present in the moment. Pay attention to how you’re feeling when listening to others, and try to respond more mindfully. Doing so will improve your communication skills and create a more positive work or school environment. See other ideas for practicing mindfulness at work.
23. Check out mindfulness apps or podcasts to help you be more mindful in your daily life. Find, choose and download a mindfulness app or podcast to immerse in mindfulness. There’s plenty to choose from, like calm.com or headspace.com.
24. Whatever you’re doing, be present in the moment. Practice mindfulness by focusing on the task at hand, whether it’s vacuuming, cooking, or listening to music. Focus, be here, be now, and be aware and present.
25. Be kind to yourself. Think five positive thoughts of yourself, say them aloud and say yourself a thank you. You can even hug yourself if you like. Practice being kind to yourself by accepting thoughts and feelings without judgment or attachment.
26. Whatever happens, accept things as they are. This means not judging things and instead building up self-confidence. Surrounding yourself with people who accept you and have faith in you will also help you to be more mindful.
27. Avoid doing many things at once. Make efforts to focus on one thing at a time in daily life, and clear away any distractions that might make it difficult to focus all your attention on one thing only. It’s less efficient for us to constantly stop and start, change our focus, and break our flow. When we’re mindful, we can clear away distractions and focus all our attention on one thing. This allows us to fully engage in whatever we’re doing and leads to a more peaceful state of mind.
28. Start your day without distractions – no gadgets, phones, or tablets after waking up. Instead, spend a few minutes in bed focusing on your breath, on the surroundings inside and outside the building. Start your day mindfully by being present, not online.
29. Move your body and exercise daily, even if it’s a short walk around the block, a morning stretch, or walking or riding a bike to work. Whatever you do, do it mindfully, and be present and focused on your task. You will keep both your body and your mind healthier.
30. Learn to wait patiently and mindfully. When we are patient, we can focus on the present moment and be more aware of our surroundings. We can also better control our emotions and reactions and are less likely to react impulsively or make rash decisions. Additionally, patience allows us to appreciate better the things we often take for granted in life. We live in a world that is constantly moving and changing. It can be challenging to slow down and be patient. However, there are many benefits to mindfulness and patience, so why not give them a try?
31. Take mini breaks – even only in your mind! It is essential to take mini breaks throughout the day to focus on your feelings and senses. During mini-breaks, you can focus on your feet touching the floor or bottom of the chair. Take a few minutes to pay attention to your body instead of what you’ve been doing. This will help keep your mind focused and allow you to be more present in the moment.
32. Celebrate daily! Make small targets and celebrate small achievements. Remember, every small step moves you forward, and regularity can take you far. Therefore, find a small achievement and celebrate it daily.
33. When commuting to work or school, commute mindfully! Notice the sensations of your body, feelings, and thoughts, all without judgment. Observe the environment around you mindfully; notice the temperature, textures, colors, and smells. Focus on your breath. Be mindful!
34. When you shower or wash your hands, notice the temperature of the water, the feeling of the water on your skin, and the sound. Notice the smell of soap gel, and observe how it foams. Be in the very moment with all your senses and your thought!
35. Shop mindfully! To do mindful shopping, observe your thoughts and emotions, do not judge yourself, just be observant and aware. Not only ask yourself if you’re purchasing things you genuinely want and need but more importantly, ask yourself why – why do you want to buy this thing, why do you need it? Do get yourself trapped in the discount and “the time-is-running” ambush. If hesitant, give yourself a day or two to finalize the purchase to avoid mindless shopping.
36. Bathing can be practicing mindfulness as well! While taking a bath, make some bubbles and look at all the different shapes of the bubbles, listen to the sound of the foam, and feel the warmth of the water and the feeling on your body. Take a few more minutes, take a few deep breaths, and do not rush to finish your bathing experience! Take your time, and be mindful!
37. Digital devices? Use them mindfully! Mindful interaction with digital devices like mobile phones, computers, tablets, streaming platforms, or TV means controlling how and when you interact with the device or platform. For instance, using your phone mindfully can mean turning off all notifications or using the Do Not Disturb feature to avoid distractions if you need to focus on something important. Using digital devices mindfully can be taking a break from digital devices by leaving them at home for an afternoon or evening or when you’re going for a walk. Using streaming platforms mindfully might be setting up the limits for watching and choosing the content that is beneficial for you. Remember, mindfulness is being aware of thoughts, feelings, and reactions without judgment, so be mindful of these while and after using digital content or devices and act accordingly.
38. Embrace the freshness of the moment to analyze the beauty of NOW. Find two positive things in every task you undertake.
39. Learn and observe your body. Acknowledge if you feel hungry or thirsty, and listen to your body’s needs. Do you eat and drink because your body needs it, or do you eat and drink mindlessly? Be aware of yourself.
40. Be aware of your thoughts and emotions: notice when you have negative or stressful thoughts, and try to let them go. Please pay attention to your feelings and how they make you feel physical.
41. Make a vision board with pictures or words that represent what you want to achieve in life. Place it where you will see it often, such as on your fridge or bathroom mirror, and let it serve as a reminder of what you’re working towards.
42. Anytime you notice yourself feeling stressed, take a deep breath. Repeat. Notice your reactions; how do you feel? Do you feel calmer? Breathe deep again. Breathing is a powerful tool!
43. Whatever you’re doing, whatever you’re thinking of – it’s only the present moment that counts. When we are caught up in the past or worrying about the future, we miss out on the beauty and joy available to us in the present moment. Mindfulness can help us be more present to appreciate all that life has to offer us. Here and now is the only place and time to be in. Practice it and remind yourself daily.
44. When in front of the mirror, smile and send yourself some love. Here and now, you are special and one of a kind!
45. When outside, make a connection with nature. Feel it on your skin, whether it’s the sunshine, the rain, or the breeze. Smell the air, feel the warmth or cold on your face, and listen to the sound of wind or rain or snow under your boots. Wherever you are, you are here and now – mindfully acknowledge the very special moment of the present.
46. When going to sleep, feel the bed under your body. Acknowledge the softness of your mattress, the smell and shape of the pillow under your head, and the blanket.
47. In the morning, take some time before starting your day’s activities. Whether it’s reading, writing, having a glass of water, staring outside the window, or just sitting in silence, give yourself a few minutes to center yourself before beginning your day.
48. Accept the very person without any judgment, whether it’s about yourself or others. One of the best ways to improve your life is to stop judging yourself and others. This can be difficult, as we are often quick to judge others and ourselves. However, by practicing mindfulness, we can learn to accept ourselves and others just as we are. Accepting others doesn’t mean giving consent for toxic or harmful relations! Accepting others means observing what happens without judging them, as the only person whose reactions and actions you can control is yourself. If you feel you don’t want to be around a person or certain people, it’s totally fine, and it’s your right to decide about it and act accordingly.
49. When preparing your food, do it mindfully. Mindful food preparation is a superb way to practice mindfulness and a path toward healthier eating habits. When preparing your food, observe and pay attention to the ingredients. Feel and smell them, and see their structure, colors, and shapes. Smell any spices or herbs as you cook. Notice the ingredients you’re using; are they good for you? How do you feel after eating this food? Does it make you feel good?
50. Mindfulness when cooking or baking is another practice in the kitchen. Pay attention to the different skills you use, like mixing, chopping, and slicing. Mindfully notice the movements of your body, the sounds, colors, temperature of the ingredients, utensils, and the kitchen environment.
51. Acknowledge and pay attention to what your body says to you. If you feel tired, have some rest, a nap, or sleep. When feeling thirsty or hungry, provide your body with water and quality food.

Easy mindfulness for day – conclusion

Practicing mindfulness doesn’t have to be hard. To easy mindfulness in your life, introduce the mindful approach step by step by starting with one or two activities and performing them daily.

The ideas above are just a small sample of the many ways to practice mindfulness. There are many ways to practice mindfulness you can try, and as you can see, practicing mindfulness doesn’t have to be elaborate or time-consuming. The most important part of mindfulness practice is how you relate to what’s happening in your mind and body, moment by moment.

Practicing mindfulness can be easy to do, quick, fun, and meaningful, and you can implement as many ways to practice mindfulness into your life as you like.

Remember: mindfulness exercises can be helpful for anyone who wants to improve their mental health and well-being. However, consult with a mental health professional to check whether practicing mindfulness is best for you, especially if you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression or other health issues.