Informal Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness doesn’t have to be rigid, strict, or boring. It can be as simple as actively paying attention as you go about your day-to-day tasks, activities, and events. If you are itching to reap the benefits of a mindfulness practice, but don’t like the idea of formal seated meditation, worry not. There are countless ways to have an informal mindfulness practice that don’t involve sitting still. In fact, cultivating a state of peaceful awareness can be incredibly simple.

From walking, cleaning and eating mindfully, to mindful driving and mindful listening, this guide to informal mindfulness includes loads of activities – many of which you’re already doing – that don’t require you to sit still for meditation. You’ll also find tips on how to slow down and incorporate mindfulness into every part of your life.

Try sprinkling informal mindfulness into your day-to-day life, and enjoy the focus, clarity, and peace that follows.

Video: What You Practice Grows Stronger

By Melissa Eisler

How do we change? In this pioneering TEDx talk, Dr. Shauna Shapiro draws on modern neuroscience and ancient wisdom to demonstrate how mindfulness can help us make positive changes in our brains and our lives.

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Mindful_Cleaning

Mindful Cleaning Practice: How to Wash, Sweep, and Fold with Presence

By Melissa Eisler

When you apply mindfulness principles to cleaning and organizing your home, you not only end up doing a better job, but you learn how to find meaning in mundane chores and ordinary moments. This Spring, as you’re de-cluttering, de-wintering, and making your countertops shine, try these mindful approaches to cleaning your home.

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mindfulness for kids

Infographic: 15 Ways to Teach Mindfulness to Kids

By Melissa Eisler

Whether you’re a parent, auntie, grandmother, teacher, nanny or otherwise spend time with kids, try these 15 different ways to introduce kids to mindfulness.

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mindful_eating

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mindful coloring

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By Melissa Eisler

Meditation is a simple, effortless process for some, but can feel like a daunting challenge for others. If you’re struggling to get over the hump of beginning a practice, start with some alternative activities—like playing music and coloring— that can incite a clearer state of mind. Here are some ideas.

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mindful cooking

Infographic: 14 Non-Traditional Ways to Practice Mindfulness

By Melissa Eisler

Want to reap the benefits of a mindfulness practice, but can’t seem to sit still? Try one of these non-traditional ways to get yourself into the mindful mode.

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Amy Cuddy_Ted Talk

Video: How Does Your Body Language Shape You?

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Looking for a prescription to de-stress and gain energy? Try a daily dose of the outdoors. Research says it can boost your energy and improve your physical and mental health. Here are six ways to fit your nature quota into your routine.

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Springtime Mindfulness

Springtime Mindfulness: 6 Ways to Invigorate Your Practice

By Melissa Eisler

Take advantage of the extra hours of daylight, vibrant colors, and excitement of the spring season with a springtime mindfulness practice.

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Say No

Why You Should Add the Word "NO" to Your Vocabulary

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No one has enough time to do all of the things they love to do, so life becomes about prioritizing the most important to-dos. If you end up saying YES to everything, you won’t have time for the things that you most value.

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Era of Mass Distraction

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We are living in a world that doesn’t really support mindfulness, with technology that doesn’t support us staying present. What can we do to change this?

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meditating on desk

10 Mini Meditations to Help You Reset

By Melissa Eisler

Take the edge off of everyday stress and build focus with mini meditations. These short bursts of mindfulness can have a profound impact on your life.

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How to De-stress in 5 Minutes or Less

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It takes less than 5 minutes to get stressed—so we should know how to de-stress in a flash, too. Here are 11 ways to de-stress in 5 minutes or less.

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