Life can get pretty hectic, right? With work, family, and all sorts of other stuff going on, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or distracted. But you know what can really help? Carving out some time for yourself! Here are some little indulgences to be more mindful and productive.
Daily Mindfulness and Productivity
These little indulgences have helped me relax, recharge, and be more efficient. I’m sharing this with you because I think you’ll get a lot out of this!
💎Walking
For me, walking is a simple yet so powerful way of just enjoying what’s in front of me at the present time. I’m fortunate enough that I’m able to treat myself to a nice walk outside whenever I feel like it. There’s a jogging track in our neighborhood where I get to relish in the trees, flowers, birds, and a lake.
Walking helps me to be more mindful of my breath as I move. I also find time to tune in to the sounds and smell of my surroundings. My usual target is 3,000 – 4,000 steps when I go out and after a good walk, it makes it easier for me to stay productive throughout the day. There’s just this sense of peace and clarity when I indulge in this activity.
💎Cooking
I cook not because I’m good at it. It’s a task I learned at a very young age being the eldest daughter in the family. But these days, I do it because it’s an enriching experience. I usually schedule cooking within the day when I want to be away from my laptop for a while.
Cooking gives me that chance to be fully focused at what I’m doing and be engaged in the process. I don’t want anything to be overcooked or burnt and so my attention is elevated. It also allows me to be creative and appreciative of my efforts.
My favorite dishes to prepare are Chicken Macaroni Soup, Sauteed Vegetables, or Oven Baked Marinated Meat (chicken, pork, or fish).
💎Coloring
It was last year when I discovered this activity and ever since then, I would set aside time for it when I’m feeling a little distracted or overwhelmed with tasks. I used to associate coloring with my childhood experiences when my mother would require me to do it on weekends. It was for understanding colors, staying within the lines, and filling in the shapes with colors.
Now that I’m older, I treat coloring as a way to relax and focus on the present moment.
When I’m coloring, I’m more attuned to my breath and fingers. I also like that I just go with the flow as there are really no rules to the outcome of the activity.
There’s this calm that coloring has brought me. Find out here how this hobby cultivated my mindfulness.
💎Visiting the Temple
I was born into Catholicism and my faith is largely influenced by that. I do visit the church, but there’s just something so serene in a temple that’s ideal for reflecting on life.
I’ve been exposed to visiting temples because of my husband and we’d visit them on auspicious days. Whenever I’m inside it, it somehow helps me to disconnect from my worries.
I like that I’m barefoot when I walk around. I can feel the pebbles on my feet and I can smell the soil. The scent of lotus flowers and incense sticks also help me calm down.
💎Making a Floral Arrangement
Another indulgence that I allow for mindfulness is making a flower arrangement. I normally just go with something small and simple that’s enough to decorate our dining area.
It helps me to become mindful in that I get to play around with the different flowers, colors, lengths. I observe myself as I go with the arrangement process. I like it that I don’t really get disappointed because I’m not expecting any required outcome.
It’s also my outlet for expressing my creativity in a more feminine way. Once I see my final output, I feel more productive with the sense of accomplishment I have.
💎Doing Neurographic Art
Last year, I attended a workshop in Neurographic Art and it was actually my first time to have heard of such. You start with a random scribble and gradually transform it into an image. There’s a bit of being uncertain when you begin, but as you draw the lines and connect them, you feel that harmony.
What I like about it is that it’s free flowing. I can explore my imagination without having the expectation to impress people with my art.
Plus, it’s a fun and enjoyable way to stay present in that moment.
💎Talking to an Animal
This stray cat who we now call Wijesiri has been with us for over a year. In the beginning, he would just come for food and he would disappear for days. Now, he’s a regular at home!
I didn’t really like cats until I met this one and petting an animal brings so much joy. When I have some things that I want to just vent out, I talk to Wijesiri. There’s no reply but a faint meow, and yet I feel at peace.
I know it’s an unconventional thought, but it’s relieving knowing that someone is there to listen without any judgment or advice.
Talking to Wijesiri and caring for him is now part of my routine and he gives me so much joy!
💎Watching Ghibli Movies
I love Studio Ghibli movies! It’s probably the heartwarming plots, enchanting animations, and the beautiful visuals. There’s never a Ghibli movie that I did not cry after watching. All of those I’ve watched have tugged my heart.
Their stories have a unique blend of fantasy and reality that touches my inner child and adult. Whenever I feel I need a good distraction from my tasks, I spend 20-30 minutes just to watch a Ghibli movie and then continue again within the day.
It’s a comforting escape and a great source of inspiration.
💎Looking at Art Pieces in a Gallery
I would visit art galleries when I feel stuck or bored. Engaging in art somehow triggers certain emotions from me that I need to do my creative work. Seeing different styles and designs makes me wonder about the artist’s frame of mind. The art pieces inspire new ideas in me and it helps me connect with my emotions.
It’s a deeply enriching experience for me to observe artwork even though I’m not adept in this area. There’s no particular genre that I favor, but I appreciate contemporary art.
💎Enjoying Essential Oils
Aromatherapy became popular in the early 2000 in the Philippines. They incorporated this in spa establishments to support their services and I’ve been exposed to it ever since. A part of my budget goes to a spa for stress relief and relaxation.
I love the profound effect of oils on my overall wellbeing. When I start my day with an essential oil, I know that whatever happens, it’s going to be a great day. My energy levels get high and I would be able to do a lot.
My favorite ones are cinnamon, bergamot, rosemary, and sandalwood. They all boost focus and uplift my mood.
💎Juicing
This is something that I’ve just started doing and I’m liking the effect of it on my mindfulness and productivity. I enjoy checking recipes, buying the fruits or vegetables, and preparing everything.
I’ve been a big fan of an early morning coffee routine, but I’m now slowly changing that. Thanks to juicing! I get to enjoy it slowly and peacefully.
I’ve been doing it for over a week now and I noticed that I feel more hydrated and rejuvenated. My favorite ones to mix are papaya and carrots and I use cinnamon or banana for sweetness.
💎Nature Bathing
One thing I appreciate about living in Sri Lanka is that a trip to a waterfall, stream or forest is possible within an hour. Most of them don’t even require any entrance fee to enjoy it. When we feel like going for a nature bath, we can just simply go and it’s an indulgence I love.
I get to immerse myself in the sounds of different birds and the waterfalls. I pay attention to the various insects that come my way. I can literally feel the earth around me. The connection with nature is purely grounding and humbling!
💎Visiting a Museum
A trip to a local museum is one of the indulgences I allow myself to have when I need to stay still. Looking at historical artifacts compel me to just be observant and mindful.
Activities like visiting a museum or an art gallery makes me realize that actually, mindfulness is everywhere. It’s not just in the big things like meditation or yoga. It could also be in the smallest of things like noticing displays and exhibits. Going to a museum for me is not only an educational opportunity, but it’s also a time for me to clear my head space and just be in the moment.
💎Tending the Garden
For me, tending to a garden offers a multitude of benefits for both my physical and mental well-being. The time I spend at this space helps me to slow down for the day. I enjoy the process of sweeping dried leaves, removing branches, and watering the plants. These little activities make me stay calm and centered.
In our mini garden, we have a calamansi tree, aloe vera, ginger, pennywort, spinach, and chili. Even on a small scale, watching the plants grow is truly rewarding and it gives me motivation.
Whenever I feel stressed, I go down to our mini garden and stay there for some time to reduce my stress levels.
💎Journaling
Even as a child, I’ve always practiced keeping a diary where I could express my thoughts and record important events as they happen. Journaling is not something new to me.
I use my journal for setting goals, writing down my plans, and organizing my thoughts on certain things. It’s also where I express my excitement over unexpected events or opportunities. When I want to talk to God, I also journal it out. I feel like he’s just sitting beside me, listening to my ideas and feelings.
All these years, journaling has helped me become better at solving problems. I feel like once I’ve written them down, it’s just easier to address them. Once I’ve written down my vision, I find that it comes to life faster than I expect it to be.
In Summary
Setting aside time for mindfulness activities significantly improved my mental and emotional well-being. When I started incorporating these indulgences to my routine, I noticed that I became calmer and more organized. I can also easily let go of worries and just let life unfold before me every day.
These activities also helped me achieve efficiency in my client work and I get to live a more fulfilling life.
So, there you have it! Carving time for these little indulgences might seem like a luxury, but trust me, it’s totally worth it. Find what works for you, whether it’s going to a local museum, journaling, or simply taking a walk in nature.
Which of these activities here resonate with you? What little indulgences do you do to be mindful and productive? Share in the comment section below!
(We write our content in the hope of making you, our readers, feel a little more inspired in a time when you’re probably feeling low. We hope you feel a little lighter after visiting our site. Then, we know we’ve served our purpose.⭐)
