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.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

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.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

3. I am aware of what thoughts are passing through my mind.

I am aware of what thoughts are passing through my mind.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

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.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

5. I tell myself that I shouldn’t feel sad.

I tell myself that I shouldn’t feel sad.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

6. I tell myself that I shouldn’t have certain thoughts.

I tell myself that I shouldn’t have certain thoughts.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

7. I try to distract myself when I feel unpleasant emotions.

I try to distract myself when I feel unpleasant emotions.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

8. I try to put my problems out of mind.

18. I try to put my problems out of mind.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

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.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

10. I wish I could control my emotions more easily.

I wish I could control my emotions more easily.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

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.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

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.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

13. There are things I try not to think about.

There are things I try not to think about.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

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.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

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.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

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.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

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.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

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.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

19. Whenever my emotions change, I am conscious of them immediately.

Whenever my emotions change, I am conscious of them immediately.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

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.

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often

21. What is your age?

What is your age?

Under 18
18 - 29
30 - 39
40 - 49
50 - 59
60 - 69
70 or over

22. In terms of your gender identity, do you see yourself as:

In terms of your gender identity, do you see yourself as:

Female/Woman
Male/Man
Gender non-binary
I prefer to self-identify
Specify

23. What is your marital status?

What is your marital status?

Single
In a relationship
In a relationship and living with partner
Married
Divorced
Widowed

24. How many children do you have?

How many children do you have?

None
One
Two
Three
More than three

25. How often do you meditate?

How often do you meditate?

Never
Several times per year
Several times per month
Several times per week
Daily