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 who are office based have now started to return to our workplaces, 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!

Perhaps then, alongside the stress caused by all of the change that we’ve experienced over the last two years or so, it isn’t surprising that the practice of mindfulness has been gaining in popularity as a means of 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, be present, and become more aware of yourself and your surroundings.

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:

  • Eating with your non-dominant hand
  • Focusing on the aromas, textures, and flavours of your food
  • 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:

  • How you’re breathing
  • How your body feels in your seat
  • 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?