Mindfulness Quiz

Do you savor life or let everyday stresses control you? In other words, how mindful are you?

The practice of mindfulness has been linked to happiness, health, and psychological well-being, but many of us may not know exactly what it is, let alone how to cultivate it.

The quiz below draws on a mindfulness scale developed by researchers at La Salle University and Drexel University, led by psychology professor Lee Ann Cardaciotto. Please answer as honestly as possible about how frequently you experienced each of the following 20 statements over the past week.

When you’re done, you’ll learn more about what mindfulness is, how much you currently practice it, and how you can promote more of it in your life.

Any responses submitted here will never be shared with any organization outside the Greater Good Science Center under any circumstances, ever. All responses are anonymized and only used in aggregate for evaluation purposes.

 
1. When I am startled, I notice what is going on inside my body.
When I am startled, I notice what is going on inside my body.
2. I am aware of thoughts I’m having when my mood changes.
I am aware of thoughts I’m having when my mood changes.
3. I am aware of what thoughts are passing through my mind.
I am aware of what thoughts are passing through my mind.
4. I notice changes inside my body, like my heart beating faster or my muscles getting tense.
I notice changes inside my body, like my heart beating faster or my muscles getting tense.
5. I tell myself that I shouldn’t feel sad.
I tell myself that I shouldn’t feel sad.
6. I tell myself that I shouldn’t have certain thoughts.
I tell myself that I shouldn’t have certain thoughts.
7. I try to distract myself when I feel unpleasant emotions.
I try to distract myself when I feel unpleasant emotions.
8. I try to put my problems out of mind.
18. I try to put my problems out of mind.
9. I try to stay busy to keep thoughts or feelings from coming to mind.
I try to stay busy to keep thoughts or feelings from coming to mind.
10. I wish I could control my emotions more easily.
I wish I could control my emotions more easily.
11. If there is something I don’t want to think about, I’ll try many things to get it out of my mind.
If there is something I don’t want to think about, I’ll try many things to get it out of my mind.
12. There are aspects of myself I don’t want to think about.
There are aspects of myself I don’t want to think about.
13. There are things I try not to think about.
There are things I try not to think about.
14. When I have a bad memory, I try to distract myself to make it go away.
When I have a bad memory, I try to distract myself to make it go away.
15. When I shower, I am aware of how the water is running over my body.
When I shower, I am aware of how the water is running over my body.
16. When I walk outside, I am aware of smells or how the air feels against my face.
When I walk outside, I am aware of smells or how the air feels against my face.
17. When someone asks how I am feeling, I can identify my emotions easily.
When someone asks how I am feeling, I can identify my emotions easily.
18. When talking with other people, I am aware of the emotions I am experiencing.
When talking with other people, I am aware of the emotions I am experiencing.
19. Whenever my emotions change, I am conscious of them immediately.
Whenever my emotions change, I am conscious of them immediately.
20. When talking with other people, I am aware of their facial and body expressions.
When talking with other people, I am aware of their facial and body expressions.
21. What is your age?
What is your age?
22. In terms of your gender identity, do you see yourself as:
In terms of your gender identity, do you see yourself as:
23. What is your marital status?
What is your marital status?
24. How many children do you have?
How many children do you have?
25. How often do you meditate?
How often do you meditate?