Thriving During the Holidays: Mindfulness Activities

Published: November 25, 2020

Make sure to take some time for yourself this holiday season to de-stress. Mindfulness exercises and activities can be a great way to center yourself and your family during the hectic holiday season. We’ve compiled some ideas for you to try alone or with family and friends.

• Mindful water coloring
  • While painting try to focus solely on the brush in your hands
  • Focus on how it feels to paint on the paper
  • Watch the colors as they hit the paper
  • Choose colors that make you feel calm and relaxed
    
    
• Mindful eating
  • Notice the texture, the taste, and the crunch of the food
  • Notice where on your tongue you taste each flavor
  • Enjoy every little bite!
    
    
• Gingerbread play dough mindfulness activity  
  • Make gingerbread play dough (this is edible but should NOT be eaten)
    • 3 cups gluten free flour
    • 3/4 cup salt
    • 6 tsp cream of tartar
    • 3 cups water
    • 3-5.5 tbsp coconut oil
    • 6 tsp cinnamon
    • 6 tsp ginger
    • 3 tsp nutmeg
    • 3 tsp cloves
  • Feel the play dough in your hands (do not squeeze the play dough yet)
  • Keep the play dough in a ball in your hands
  • Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale
  • As you do this notice the smell of the play dough. What scents do you notice? Pay attention to the memories or pictures that come to your mind
  • Do not squeeze the dough yet
    • Notice the urge to squeeze the dough, where does your body feel this urge?
  • Now press one finger into the dough. Notice the temperature of the dough, the texture, what sensations does your finger feel?
  • Now you can start playing with the dough. What are the sensations that you are feeling? The textures? The smell
    
    
• Snow globe mindfulness
  • Shake the snow globe
  • Watch every piece of the snow and follow it as it settles
    
    
• Dance it out
  • Put on your favorite holiday song and dance it out
  • Try to focus solely on dancing
  • Feel your body as you dance it out
  • What do your fingers feel like? Your toes? Your legs?
  • Listen to the music