But wait, what exactly is mindfulness? Mindfulness is basically just being present in the moment, paying attention to what's going on around you and inside you, without judgment. It's like giving your brain a break from constantly worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. And when it comes to anxiety, practicing mindfulness can be a game-changer.

These unique mindfulness exercises for anxiety are so easy, you can do them anywhere, anytime, and they don't require any fancy equipment or a zen garden.  So, let's get ready to have some fun and de-stress with these mindfulness meditation exercises for anxiety.

Take a shower. No, seriously, take a shower. As silly as it sounds, showering can be turned into a surprisingly great mindfulness activity.  It's a way to turn your daily shower into a mini-meditation session.

Instead of zoning out, you focus on the sensation of the water on your skin, the sound of the water, the smell of the soap or shampoo, and the feeling of the air on your skin as you step out of the shower. By focusing on the present moment, you can interrupt patterns of worry and rumination and bring your mind back to the present.

And, who knew showering could be so fun, right? So, next time you hop in the shower, make it a spa day for your mind!

In the same vein as mindful showering, mindful hand washing can be just as effective. It's amazing for your mental health, a great way to add a little mindfulness into your daily routine, and also helps with keeping you clean and hygienic!

Here's how you do it: next time you go to wash your hands, take a moment to focus on the sensation of the water on your skin. Notice the temperature, the pressure, and the feeling of the soap. Pay attention to the sound of the water and the sensation of the bubbles forming. As you wash your hands, try to keep your mind focused on the present moment. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your hands and the sensation of the water.

This is a quick and easy activity that's great for alleviating anxiety symptoms!

Yes, I really suggested that you use jewelry as one of the mindfulness exercises to reduce anxiety. And for good reason! 

Putting on jewelry can be a wonderful tool to ease anxiety symptoms. It can serve as a reminder to be present in the moment and focus on the present. By taking a few minutes to put on jewelry, you can focus on the sensation of the necklace or bracelet against your skin, the weight of the earrings, and the sound of the jewelry as it moves.

You can also focus on the colors, textures, and designs of the jewelry and try to notice the details. It's like playing a game of "I spy" with your jewelry. Jewelry can also serve as a trigger to remind you to take a break and practice mindfulness throughout the day.

At Trove & Tribe, we create jewelry specifically designed to help you live a mindful life. Pick a necklace that speaks to you and use it as a reminder that freedom from anxiety is just around the corner.

Is anxiety creeping up? The "3-3-3" exercise is here to save the day, it's like a superhero for your worries! This is one of the many simple mindfulness exercises for anxiety that you can do anytime, anywhere and it's great for your mental health. When you start to feel anxious, look around you and name three things you see, then name three things you hear, and finally, move your body and name three things you feel.

This mindfulness practice helps to bring your attention to the present moment and away from whatever is causing you anxiety.

With such a touchy-feely name, you know that this mindfulness exercise has to be good. Loving-kindness meditation, also known as "metta" meditation, is like a love letter to yourself and others. This mindfulness practice involves sending good vibes and well-wishes to yourself, loved ones, acquaintances, and even strangers.

You start by silently repeating phrases like "may I be happy, may I be healthy, may I be at peace" while focusing on your breath. Then, you expand the love to your loved ones and acquaintances and eventually to all beings.

The goal is to cultivate a sense of warmth and compassion towards yourself and others. It can help to reduce feelings of isolation and increase feelings of empathy and connection. Loving-kindness meditation is one of the many amazing mindfulness exercises for anxiety and depression.

Mantras, mantras, mantras! A mantra is a word or phrase that you repeat to yourself like a catchy song, it could be in any language, and it's chosen for personal significance or for the meaning it holds. 

To do some mindful meditation using a mantra, choose a word or phrase that has a positive meaning for you, like "peace" or "calm." Repeat it to yourself as you focus on your breath. This type of meditation helps to anchor your mind in the present moment and interrupt patterns of worry and rumination. It's simple, easy to do, and you can do it anywhere, anytime. So, grab your mantra and get ready to meditate like a pro.

This mindfulness practice is great for alleviating anxiety symptoms.

Have you ever tried giving your body a massage from the inside out? Think of progressive relaxation like a "tension-taming" workout. This mindfulness activity is a technique that helps you to release tension from your muscles by tensing and relaxing them one at a time. 

This exercise can be helpful for reducing feelings of anxiety because it helps to release physical tension that can contribute to anxious feelings. The best thing about it is that it's very simple to do! Simply tense a muscle group for a few seconds, then release the tension and focus on the sensation of relaxation that follows.

This can help to bring awareness to the body and the sensations of tension and relaxation, which can be a helpful tool for managing anxiety. It also helps in reducing the stress hormone cortisol which helps in reducing anxiety. And who knows, you might even discover some new muscles you didn't know you had! So grab a mat, and let's start flexin'!

"PAY ATTENTION" - Your 5th-grade teacher. And your teacher wasn't wrong. Paying attention is an often overlooked mindfulness exercise. Mindful listening aka active listening is the practice of paying full attention to the person speaking, without getting distracted or making judgments. 

Think of it like this, when you're chatting with a friend and really focusing on what they're saying, you're less likely to be stuck in your own head, right? It's the same thing with mindful listening. By paying attention to the person speaking, you're training your brain to be more present and less focused on anxious thoughts.

And let's be real, who doesn't love a good conversation? Mindful listening is a great way to strengthen relationships and improve communication skills. Plus, by really understanding the person you're talking to, you may be able to help them out, and that feels pretty darn good if you ask me!

Ahh yes, do you smell that? No, not the smell of pizza, the smell of essential oils. It's the smell of calm. We've already covered plenty of mindfulness activities for anxiety but aromatherapy is the one that will have you feeling like you're in a 5-star spa in the Himalayas. 

Using essential oils as part of a mindfulness practice can be a great way to ease anxiety. The sense of smell is closely linked to the emotional and limbic centers of the brain. This means that certain scents can evoke specific emotions or memories, and can be used to promote a sense of calm and relaxation

You can use these oils in a diffuser, massage them into your skin, or even just put a drop on a handkerchief and smell it. So, go ahead, give it a try, and let the fragrant magic begin!

Please stop looking at me funny. Yes, I just suggested that you use cleaning as a stress reliever and no, I am not taking it back. Hear me out. We all have to clean (eventually), it's an inescapable part of life. So while you're cleaning why not make use of that time to improve your mental health? 

When you're cleaning mindfully, you're fully engaged in the task, paying attention to the sensations, sounds, and feelings that come up during the process. You're not letting your mind wander, thinking about other things, or multitasking. Instead, you're fully present and engaged in the task at hand, using the cleaning as a way to focus your mind and bring it to the present moment. 

Add this to your arsenal of simple mindfulness exercises for anxiety and the next time you're cleaning you'll start to feel the anxiety lift off of your shoulders.

This is not a drill. Your time has come, those countless hours you've spent taking random pictures of your cat, have not gone to waste. You see, mindful photography is all about being fully present and engaged in the act of taking photographs and is an amazing way to ease anxiety symptoms.

Instead of just snapping pictures, you're taking your time, being intentional with each shot, and really paying attention to your surroundings. It's like a treasure hunt for beautiful moments and memories. Think of it like this, instead of just taking a picture of your magnificent cat, you're really looking at it, noticing all the little details, the colors, the textures, the shapes, and the way the light hits it. It's like turning your camera into a microscope for feline beauty.

By practicing mindful photography, you can shift your focus away from your worries and onto the present moment, allowing you to engage in a creative activity that can be calming and satisfying.

And there you have it, folks, a few simple yet powerful mindfulness exercises for anxiety to help you kick worry to the curb. Remember, mindfulness is like a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it gets. So don't be afraid to make it a regular part of your daily routine. And just like hitting the gym, the results may not be immediate, but with consistency and patience, you'll start to notice a difference in the way you feel. Namaste and happy de-stressing!"