15 questions to ask AI to help you build a more mindful life
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
These 15 questions to ask AI can spark fresh self-care ideas, support your routines, and bring a little more ease and intention to your everyday.
No matter how you look at it, the topic of AI tends to come with big feelings and reactions. Maybe you're overwhelmed by the vast unknown of the new technology, or maybe you’re excited by the chance to automate and streamline some of the more menial tasks in your day-to-day.
Whether you’re a lover, a hater, or somewhere in between, there’s no denying that AI has the ability to share knowledge quickly and clearly. And while this can, of course, help improve workstreams and promote productivity, it can also be a helpful tool for enhancing your wellbeing.
We’re not saying that AI is a mental health cure-all, but it can help you in small and thoughtful ways.
When you're overwhelmed, AI can offer you ideas for how to reset. When you need to get out of your head, it can give you a thoughtful journal prompt. If your life is hectic, you can ask it to re-work your schedule, making room for mindfulness. In other words, if you want ways to bring a little more intention to your life, AI might be just the thing you need. Let’s explore.
How to use AI to boost your wellbeing
AI might not be the best tool for uncovering the mysteries of the universe or your true life’s passion, but it can be helpful with lightening your load when your mind is busy, or sharing ideas to boost your mood when you’re feeling low.
Say you need to make dinner for your family and are all out of ideas. Asking AI to give you a list of 10 kid-friendly recipes that take 30 minutes or less and use the ingredients you have on hand can automate that thought process. Rather than combing through fifteen mommy blogs to find a recipe that speaks to you, AI can cull a list from the expanses of the internet.
Or if you’re feeling anxious, AI can share a list of natural remedies and breathing practices for anxiety within moments. Think of it like a wellness co-pilot that’s always ready to brainstorm with you. These are just a couple of examples of how AI can help, but the possibilities are pretty vast.
4 tips for using AI to support a mindful life
AI can’t necessarily solve all your problems, but if you let it, it can help you stay more anchored in your day. Here are a few simple ways to make AI work for you:
1. Think of it as a planning buddy: Use AI to make your mental load lighter so you can have a day that flows better. Consider letting it help you create a soft morning routine or break down your goals into simpler steps.
2. Ask for ideas, not solutions: AI is not the same as mental health support, so it’s important not to go to it to solve major problems. (When those moments occur, it’s better to schedule an appointment with a therapist or lean on your support system.) If you’re looking for ideas to better your mental health, AI might come up with cool new journaling prompts, wind-down habits, or nutritious recipes. Pick what resonates, and ignore the rest.
3. Use it when life feels calm: Avoid talking to AI when you’re spiraling because it’s not equipped to help you out of a crisis. AI isn’t a person, and it cannot give you deep mental health support. Instead, try using it for small, low-lift questions or tasks to help you facilitate your day.
4. Keep it light: AI doesn’t have the ability to provide nuanced information, so it’s better to ask simple questions. Explore queries like, “What are some ways I can focus on gratitude?” This kind of low-lift information can help support your days between therapy or venting sessions with your bestie.
15 great questions to ask AI for a calmer, more intentional life
While you’ll want to save any serious mental health support for your healthcare provider or your support system, AI is always there to help with simple wellbeing requests.
Below are 15 easy questions to ask AI to help you build a more mindful life.
1. What are three small things I can do today to feel more grounded?
Perfect for when you’re feeling out of control. You could also ask for quick grounding ideas that you can do in five minutes or less.
💙 Bring yourself back to your senses during this Grounding session with Tamara Levitt.
2. Can you help me write a morning routine that keeps me interested?
Ask AI to help you create a 10-minute morning routine based on how much time and energy you actually have. You might personalize this by peppering in a few details like your morning beverage of choice or the timing for your workout class.
3. What are some ways to reset when I’m feeling anxious?
Your nervous system doesn’t need an hour of mindfulness. Sometimes, three minutes of breathing is enough to calm you down. If AI’s suggestions don’t work with your current mental state, ask for another suggestion and offer more details about how you’re feeling.
💙 Calm your nervous system down with this Reset with the Breath meditation with Jay Shetty.
4. Give me a journaling prompt to help me process what I’m feeling
Whether you’re emotionally blocked or fully flooded with feelings, journaling can help. You could get specific with what you’re feeling to make the prompt more specific, or keep it general as a way to explore the range of you’re emotions today.
(Here are 15 prompts to release stress if you’re currently feeling anxious.)
5. How can I be a little nicer to myself?
Most of us need a little help in the self-compassion department. Let AI suggest some practices or phrases to help you go easier on yourself.
6. What’s a low-effort bedtime routine that can actually help me sleep?
To create a personalized wind-down routine, you might share any sleeping challenges you experience or how much time you want to spend on the routine.
(Here are 10 other easy sleep hygiene tips for better sleep.)
7. I feel overwhelmed — what should I do to calm down?
When you feel tense and at capacity, this can be your go-to. AI can recommend a breathing technique, a movement prompt, or other activities that can help based on how you’re feeling.
(Here are 12 other ways to find relief if you’re feeling overwhelmed right now.)
8. Can you guide me through a mini compassion or grounding visualization?
Ask AI to guide you through a short “safe place” or “imaginary support” visualization. A few minutes of imagining yourself under a cozy blanket on a starlit beach might be just the thing you need to relax.
💙 If you prefer listening along, try this guided visualization led by Professor Megan Reitz, A Woodland Stroll to Sleep.
9. Can you help me start a gratitude practice that isn’t forced or cringey?
Sometimes you need a gentle nudge to help you count your blessings. Having gratitude has been shown to improve your mental health so let AI walk you through an easy gratitude practice. And if you’re feeling self-conscious, ask it to word it in a way that isn’t cheesy.
10. What are some questions to help me check in with myself?
Sometimes the hardest part is knowing what you actually need. You might see suggestions like, “What’s one thing I’ve been avoiding?” or, “What would feel restorative right now?” You can get a more personalized response by telling the AI what you’ve been dealing with lately to provide some nuance and context.
11. I need a mini ritual for when I finish work — what do you suggest?
Transitioning out of work mode can be hard when your job follows you home, or is at home. Ask AI for a quick ritual to help you unwind. You might tell it some relaxing activities you enjoy, like taking a candlelit bath or stepping outside for a change of scenery.
12. Give me a mindfulness reminder I can keep in my back pocket
Tell AI to serve up little mantras that aren’t too corny. If you already have reminders you like, such as “I’m doing the best I can with what I’ve got” or “It’s okay to move slow,” then ask for a few additional suggestions that feel similar.
13. What’s a fun or meaningful way I can connect with someone today?
If you’re feeling disconnected from the people in your life, you might ask AI for some suggestions to reconnect, like thoughtful texts to send or even questions to ask someone over dinner. It could help to offer context like who you’d like to reconnect with and the nature of your relationship.
14. I need a mood lift — what’s a weird animal fact or wholesome thing to think about?
When you’re feeling off, reach for delight. Ask AI to tell you something adorable, like a fun animal fact or a joke. Did you know sea otters hold hands when they sleep so they don’t drift apart? These kinds of facts can lift your spirits.
15. Help me reframe a mistake I made today without spiraling into shame
To stop the spiral when you mess up, ask AI to help you reframe with curiosity instead of self-loathing. Maybe you’ll benefit from prompts like, “What did I learn?” or “How would I talk to a friend in this situation?”
Questions to ask AI FAQs
What are good questions to ask AI for everyday wellbeing?
Good questions you can ask are usually ones that help you check in with yourself and slow down. You could say something like, “I’m feeling frazzled, what are a few things I can do right now to calm down?” or, “Here is my schedule for the day, can you help me build in a few mindfulness breaks?”
Can I use AI to learn more about myself?
While AI can’t know you personally because it’s not human, it can give you reflective journal prompts or daily check-in questions to help you learn more about yourself. You might further prompt it by explaining your current mental state, or difficulties you’re having at work or at home, so it can give you better ideas.
How can I use AI to feel more organized and calm?
If you're starting to spiral by all you have to get done, try feeding AI your to-do list and asking something like, “Help me prioritize what really matters today,” or, “Can you write a simple checklist that won’t overwhelm me?”
You could also ask it to help you plan your meals or set up a Sunday wind-down ritual.
Can I talk to AI about my mental health?
You can talk to AI, but treat it the same way you would a friend. Friends can be great at listening, but they’re not trained to help you hold the heavy stuff.
AI should only be used as a helpful starting point or a useful supplement, not a replacement for mental health treatment. Therapists are trained to recognize signs of crisis and trauma and will notice if you’re crying out for help or spiraling, which AI can’t do.
If you’re navigating anxiety, depression, grief, or anything complex, reach out to your healthcare provider to get the treatment you deserve.
Calm your mind. Change your life.
Mental health is hard. Getting support doesn't have to be. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life.
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