With the start of the summer it can be easy to fall into habits of doomscrolling, procrastinating, or feeling like you aren’t using your free time to its full potential. Making a plan to be outside and off of your phone is easy, following through can be the hard part. Some ways to help this is to fall in love with the journey. Exploring things that make you happy and reflecting on that peace can help to ensure you continue building those good habits. For some inspiration I have some mindful activities listed down below!
- Yoga/Meditation
- Stretching and focusing on your breathing can help to regulate your nervous system. When in a constant state of fight or flight when trying to navigate life and its challenges, its so important to take moments for yourself and calm yourself down. Stretching your body is a good way to anchor yourself to the present moment. You get to feel the physical pull of your body, telling you how far to go. Combined with meditation/focused breathing, you get to be pulled into the present moment and hopefully, even for a minute, you get to forget about any racing thoughts running through your head.
- Coloring
- I find coloring to be a very mindful activity! Getting to be so creative and unique on every page gives you the freedom to create beautiful art. There is also a great feeling of accomplishment once you finish a coloring page that you have been working on. Once you get to take a step back and see your work, you can see your time well spent!
- Going for a walk
- Physical exercise is so important for having a healthy head and heart! Going on a walk is a good example of getting out of your own head and entering a different perspective of surroundings and nature. Combining this with deep breaths can be a very relaxing time!
- Reading
- Fiction books are a great way to escape your head in a healthy way and enter a whole new world of characters and plots. Its an educating way to see other perspectives, improve critical thinking, build vocabulary, and so much more! Non-fiction books are a great way to become educated on any number of things! There are countless options and a book for everything. My favorite non-fiction books are ones that help you to become the best version of yourself!
- Watercolor painting
- I have recently started doing watercolor painting and I love it! Its a great way to embrace freedom in art. You can mix colors together beautifully and its a great way, I think, to connect your emotions with colors and get it all out on paper. This is good if you are having a hard time putting your feelings into words.
- Diamond Art
- Diamond art takes a bit longer of a time for me but its a really pretty activity that gives a big sense of accomplishment once finishing! Right now I am working on a diamond art painting of a sunset which is so pretty and relaxing!
- Gardening
- Fairy gardens are so in! Even if you don’t have a big outdoor space for this activity, you could just get a couple pots and plants. On the inside you can build a fair garden with little gnomes or other cute trinkets, creating an original cute craft of nature. You could also paint the outside of the pot!
- Drawing
- A simple time with pencil and paper is always fun! I like to pull up a picture and try to recreate it in my own original way! This is a good way to experiment and learn your artistic strengths! For example, it takes me a really long time to even draw a couple lines for the drawing I want to create but I still love to do it!
- Beaded Curtains/ Plants
- This is such a cute idea that I have been exploring! Picking out a bunch of cute colored beads and putting them together to create a curtain, or plant!
- Quilt making
- Picking out different fabrics and cutting them into squares is a nice and mindful activity. Once you have those and you start sewing a blanket, its a great way to feel accomplished and get done a beautiful task!
Always remember that the only things you need in life are right inside of you! Fill your own cup and let others be the overflow! New hobbies are a great way to create a sense of peace and mindfulness in your life! These are just some to try but there are so many others as well! Remember to find the things you love and fall in love with the journey of completing those things!
Life2Peace