What's the Best Mindfulness Practice for Me? (quiz)

published March 22, 2015; updated April 12, 2022

by Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org

Interested in mindfulness, but not sure where to start? Or looking for some new ideas to add to your existing practice?

Answer True or False to the following questions.

___ 1. I feel guilty whenever I take a break.

___ 2. It’s hard for me to concentrate because I try to do too many things at once.

___ 3. People sometimes say I should slow down.

___ 4. I don’t tend to get a lot of exercise.

___ 5. It’s hard for me to relax because my mind is always busy.

___ 6. People sometimes say I worry too much.

___ 7. I hold onto grudges for a long time.

___ 8. It’s hard for me to forgive myself when I make a mistake.

___ 9. People sometimes say my standards are too high.

10. Complete this sentence. My mind is like a/an:

a) endless to-do list.

b) ping-pong ball, bouncing from thought to thought to thought to thought.

c) courtroom. I’m constantly judging who’s right and who’s wrong.

If you answered A to question 10, and you answered True to questions 1-3…

You’re wearing yourself down as your mind and your body go, go, go all the time. You would benefit most from Stillness and Staying in the Moment.

Here are a couple of practices you might want to try:

If you answered B to question 10, and you answered True to questions 4-6…

You spend too much time sitting around brooding. You would benefit most from Taking a Mental Break while you get some Physical Exercise.

Here are a couple of practices you might want to try:

Counting Sounds: A Mindful Walking Practice

If you answered C to question 10, and you answered True to questions 7-9…

You seem to be pretty hard on yourself and others. You would benefit most from practicing Compassion.

Here are a couple of activities you might want to try:

I hope these suggestions are helpful. You might also want to check out the full list of mindfulness activities, as well as the self-care page.

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