5 Activities to Increase Self-awareness, from a Private Meditation Teacher
If you’ve ever thought, ‘How can I grow in self-awareness?’, then great! You’re in the right place and today you’re going to learn 5 fun activities that will increase your self-awareness.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how we could just operate on autopilot. Going about our day without really being aware. For example, last night I opened the fridge and mindlessly started eating dates, only to realize a few seconds later that I wasn’t even hungry.
In that moment, I realized my awareness was slipping after a hectic week filled with appointments. When I get ‘too busy’ and don’t take time to pause and reflect, I start to make choices that don’t truly align with what I really want.
I put the dates down, closed the fridge and thought, ‘Okay girl, what can you do to improve your self-awareness?’.
Hey there! I’m Rebecca!
I’m a private meditation teacher who helps professionals increase self-awareness so they can make choices that support their mental health and overall well-being.
If I was asked, ‘What are some key activities involved in developing self-awareness?’. My top answer would be meditation as it’s been the most powerful tool to help me understand myself. Then, there are four other favorites that trail close behind.
After my date eating incident, I knew it was time to bring these activities back into my weekly routine!
Today, I’m going to share with you the following:
my 5 favorite activities to increase self-awareness
self-awareness action steps to start each activity
common self-awareness questions
5 Activities to Increase Self-awareness
Mindfulness meditation is the best activity to increase self-awareness (said a very biased but honest meditation teacher).
1. Practice Mindfulness Meditation Regularly
Mindfulness meditation is the activity to increase self-awareness and it’s very simple to practice. Meditation, simply defined, is the act of paying attention and when we bring attention inwards, we gain greater insights and understanding into our thinking processes, feelings, dreams, desires, emotions, behaviors and so on. This deeper awareness of one’s self helps us make better life choices that align with our core values and long-term goals. All which lead to a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life.
Self-awareness Activity Steps: I recommend starting a consistent meditation practice, even if it’s once a week. As soon as you wake up, (before you check your phone and get involved in your day), stay in silence and go straight to your meditation spot. Find a comfortable seat, set a timer, (I suggest shorter practices of 5-10 minutes for beginners) and start by taking three deep breaths. Continue by focusing on your breath and then become a neutral observer of your thoughts and emotions (practice non-judgement as you watch thoughts come and let them go). End the meditation by setting a meaningful intention for the day or by remembering something you’re grateful for. Mindfulness meditation is the best activity to increase self-awareness and a great way to start your day.
What causes lack of self-awareness?
When we don’t make time to know ourselves well, we’ll lack self-awareness. Also, having a ‘monkey mind’ or weak attention span causes lack of awareness. Therefore, it’s important to set aside time and regularly engage in activities, like meditation, so we can increase our attention spans, improve focus and enhance self-awareness.
How to tell if you're self-aware?
I like to define being self-aware as a feeling of ‘being in tune’ with one’s self and making choices that align with your unique values and goals. Another way to tell if you’re self-aware is being able to recognize how your baseline thoughts, feelings or mood changes as you change environments, try new things or interact with different people. Also, you could tell if you’re self-aware by knowing your strengths, weaknesses, triggers, aspirations and so on.
Another great activity to increase self-awareness is journaling! I especially loved it growing up and now I keep a gratitude journal. Studies show having a regular gratitude practice improves sleep, reduces stress and enhances overall well-being.
2. Journaling to Increase Self-awareness
Starting a journal practice is a great activity to increase self-awareness and get to know yourself better. Journaling is safe place to write down your thoughts, dreams and feelings, without fear of judgement. In addition to freestyle journaling, there are great journal prompts to help you explore and discover different parts of yourself. For example, ‘If money didn’t matter, what career would you pursue?’. These questions are excellent to help us get life guidance and career direction, while at the same time they increase self-awareness.
Self-awareness Activity Steps: Start a daily journal practice expressing your unfiltered thoughts and feelings. This was especially useful when I was having a rough day or felt really inspired. It gave me perspective and clarity. Or alternatively, you can research specific journal prompts to learn more about yourself. For instance, you can use journal prompts that focus on career guidance, personal growth, relationships, creating your dream life, health and so on. Use prompts you naturally feel drawn toward to explore your inner world and increase self-awareness.
What are self reflective activities?
Self reflective activities give us an opportunity to reflect on our thoughts, memories, experiences, feelings and behavior. Journaling is a great self reflective activity as it gives you greater insight into your thinking processes and feelings. Another great self reflective activity to increase self-awareness are cards with self reflective questions like, ‘Describe a time you felt most happy’. This is a fun way to get to know yourself and increase self-awareness! Also, speaking with a therapist is another great self reflective activity providing deeper insight into your psyche.
Breakfast is my favorite time to practice mindfulness!
3. Practice Mindfulness Daily
Mindfulness is another simple and effective activity to increase self-awareness. You could literally bring mindfulness into anything you do. Mindfulness is about being fully present in the moment, without judgement. When you practice being self-aware without judgement, you get really good at understanding your biases, preconceived notions and unconscious thinking patterns or beliefs. To be fully present means you’re aware of your thoughts, actions and speech, while not getting caught up in them. A lot of choices can be made impulsively and mindfulness gives us a chance to reflect on our initial impressions so we can make conscious and intentional choices that align with our goals and values.
Self-awareness Activity Steps: Pick one daily activity to do mindfully—without distractions. I love to practice mindfulness while I’m drinking coffee and when I’m eating. Sometimes I can eat too fast or do too many things at once, like eat and scroll on my phone or work on the computer (which really scatters my attention). Practicing mindfulness while eating helps me slow down, increases self-awareness and enhances my focus. I stay off my phone or computer during this time and instead focus only on eating. I pay attention to chewing, I notice the smell and taste of my food and I notice my thoughts and feelings (without getting involved in them). This is one of the easiest of the 5 activities to increase self-awareness because you can incorporate it into activities you already do.
What is the main tool for developing self-awareness?
As a mindfulness meditation teacher, I have to say meditation! However, mindfulness comes in at a close second. Both of these practices increase our ability to pay attention and focus, which increases our self-awareness and they also increase our external awareness of others and our environments.
Mindful pauses are powerful little moments that increase self-awareness.
4. Take a Mindful Pause to Transition with Awareness and Intention
When we take mindful pauses throughout the day, it’s an opportunity to increase self-awareness and move into the next thing with intention. Why is intention important? Because it gives us a chance to make sure we move in alignment with our goals and values. This is a great example of moving with self-awareness as jumping from task to task without a mini-mindful pause can scatter our attention and focus. A mini check-in between tasks only takes a few minutes and allows us to be fully present and self-aware for the next part of our day.
Self-awareness Activity Steps: Before starting a new task or entering the next part of your day, try the 2-1 breathing technique for one to two minutes—inhale for three seconds and exhale for six. This breathing technique activates the parasympathetic nervous system, calming the body and mind. I even use it in one to one meditation classes and clients find it simple and effective. It helps ground your energy and you could use it at anytime to reset your focus and increase awareness. After a few mindful breaths, set your intention. This could look like sitting in the car and saying to yourself, “I am letting go of work”. You can even add, “I am going to focus on my family once I walk through the door.” Among the 5 ways to increase self-awareness, this technique is a quick and effective way to walk into the next moment more present.
How to develop self-awareness at work?
First, you have to be aware that you’re awareness is slipping or non-existent. This might appear as shallow breathing, not paying attention in meetings, feelings of overwhelm or eating when you’re not hungry. Once you notice, take a moment for yourself and use the 2-1 breathing technique to heighten awareness, balance your emotions and re-center yourself.
Yoga is my favorite activity to increase body awareness, but it also makes an impact mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
5. Practice Yoga to Expand Self-awareness and Body Awareness
I didn’t have a real awareness of my body (or mind) until I started practicing Yoga. Yoga is a practice of poses, breathing techniques and meditation that aim to get our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual energy in balance and alignment. During my Yoga and Meditation Teacher Training Program, I learned about the importance of mindful movement and regulated breathing. Conscious breathing during movement or stillness amplifies presence and increases body awareness. During yoga classes, I became aware of when my attention would run along with a stream of thoughts. Yoga helped me get out of my head and back into my body so that I could focus on moving mindfully and responding to my body’s needs. Through Yoga, I learned steady breathing and conscious deep breaths always allowed me to come back into my body and focus on the pose or movement. Yoga is a great physical activity to increase self-awareness and body awareness.
Self-awareness Activity Steps: If you’re new to Yoga, I’d suggest trying beginner classes at your local studio or try Yoga with Adriene. She is a popular Yoga teacher on YouTube and she has lots of free resources and high quality content perfect for beginners. Yoga is the last activity out of the 5 ways to increase self-awareness!
How to improve body awareness in adults?
Yoga is just one example of the many physical activities we can do to increase body awareness and self-awareness in adults. You could improve body awareness through dance, mindful walking and other physical activities that you love doing. For instance, soccer, ballet and hiking. However, the trick is to do it with mindfulness!
Bringing It All Together
I know life is busy and sometimes we lose ourselves and forget what’s important. If you find yourself going to the fridge and eating food when your not hungry remember, it only takes a moment to get your self-awareness back on track! By incorporating these self-awareness activities in your weekly routine, you’ll cultivate more confidence, presence and live in better alignment with what truly makes you happy!
Increase Awareness with a Mindfulness Teacher
Start with just one of these self-awareness activities and let me know which one is your favorite! Or if you're ready to dive deeper, check out my mindfulness meditation sessions tailored to your needs and lifestyle. Book a free chat today and start your journey toward a more joyful and mindful life!
Rebecca Michelle | Meditation Teacher
I help professionals improve their well-being and increase self-awareness through private meditation classes and mindfulness coaching.
