Is Mindfulness Different From Running, Gardening or Painting? | Getting Real with Mindfulness Ep. 7
The Oxford Mindfulness PodcastShow Notes
"I run. That's my mindfulness." It's something we often hear. Whether it's running, gardening, painting, playing music, crocheting, or spending time in nature, many people describe these activities as their mindfulness practice. So is mindfulness really unique? Or is it just another well-being activity? In this episode of the podcast, Claire and Victoria explore: ▪️ Why activities like running, gardening and creative arts can benefit well-being▪️ The difference between mindfulness and "flow"▪️ Whether mindfulness offers something distinct▪️ How mindfulness changes our relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions▪️ Why mindfulness meditation isn't necessarily "better" than other activities If you'd like to get in touch to share your thoughts, reflections or ideas for future episodes, we'd love to hear from you. 📧 Email [email protected] 👥 About the Hosts Claire Kelly is a mindfulness-based mentor and the Director of Teaching and Training at Oxford Mindfulness. With over 25 years in education, she's also passionate about developing and delivering evidence-based programmes to support mental health and well-being in education. Victoria Fontana is a certified mindfulness and compassion teacher, executive coach, and educator who helps people cultivate calm, clarity, and resilience in their lives and work. Victoria teaches mindfulness and compassion-based programs internationally through IE University, the Mindfulness and Health Institute, and through her own programs at Mindgazing.com Oxford Mindfulness is a not-for-profit organisation helping people achieve greater well-being and improved mental health through research-based mindfulness. Visit our website 👉 oxfordmindfulness.org
More from The Oxford Mindfulness Podcast
How do you talk about mindfulness without sounding apologetic... or like you're trying to convert someone? In this episode of Getting Real with Mindfulness, Claire and Victoria explore the sometimes awkward, often amusing reality of discussing mindfulness with friends, family, colleagues, and complete strangers. From curious questions and common misconceptions to scepticism and outright criticism, they reflect on the challenge of sharing a practice that's meaningful to you without feeling the need to defend or promote it. Along the way, they discuss:
Join us for "Between the Lines", an online series that brings the mindfulness community together to explore the books, papers, and other resources that have shaped the mindfulness field — alongside the authors and thinkers who created them.
Join us for "Between the Lines", an online series that brings the mindfulness community together to explore the books, papers, and other resources that have shaped the mindfulness field — alongside the authors and thinkers who created them.
Join us for "Between the Lines", an online series that brings the mindfulness community together to explore the books, papers, and other resources that have shaped the mindfulness field — alongside the authors and thinkers who created them.
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking: “I came to mindfulness to feel better… so why am I noticing more?”, then this episode is for you. In Episode 6 of ‘Getting Real with Mindfulness’, Claire Kelly and Victoria Fontana explore a question that comes up again and again in mindfulness courses: What’s the point of noticing if we’re not being asked to fix anything? Together, they reflect on why noticing can feel uncomfortable, overwhelming, or even frustrating at first, and why it’s also a crucial foundation for change. From trust and patience, to kindness, choice, and agency, this conversation gently unpacks what’s really being trained when we “just notice”. This is a grounded, honest discussion about: