1:1 Activities for Introverts
World Introvert Day is observed on January 2nd each year, providing a dedicated time to recognize and celebrate the unique qualities of introverts around the globe. This day highlights the importance of understanding introverts’ needs and contributions in personal, social, and professional environments.
Introverts often thrive in solitude, find joy in meaningful conversations, and offer thoughtful perspectives in group settings. They may prefer time to process their ideas before sharing, bringing depth and creativity to collaborations. By appreciating these strengths, we can foster more inclusive and supportive environments.
Did you know that 25% of people identify as an introvert? In their honor, we’ve compiled a list of 1:1 activities tailored to their strengths and aligned with the domains of wellness:
Physical Domain - Swimming
A calming, low-impact exercise that allows for quiet focus and shared enjoyment. Whether it's leisurely laps or just floating together, it can be a relaxing bonding experience.
Accommodations: For those with limited mobility, adaptive equipment like pool lifts or water weights can provide support. Aquatic therapy pools with ramps and warmer temperatures may be more comfortable for individuals with arthritis or sensory sensitivities.
Emotional Domain - Pet Therapy
Spending time with animals can reduce stress and enhance emotional connection. Visit a cat café, schedule a pet therapy session, or simply enjoy cute animal videos together. This activity can be particularly comforting for introverts who thrive on gentle, one-on-one interactions.
Accommodations: For individuals with allergies or fear of animals, virtual pet interactions or watching heartwarming videos can provide a similar sense of joy and connection.
Spiritual Domain - Meditation
Shared meditation promotes mindfulness and a sense of calm. Explore guided meditation videos or apps tailored to different needs, including shorter sessions for those with limited attention spans. Even simply sitting quietly together in a peaceful environment can foster a spiritual connection. A couple of guided meditation videos we enjoy are:
Guided Meditation for Introverts : Relax Deeply & Recharge by Good Karma Meditations
Hypnosis for Social Anxiety: Hypnotherapy for Self Confidence (1 Hour) by Michael Sealey
Accommodations: For individuals with cognitive disabilities, choose meditations with simple, clear instructions or soothing background music to maintain engagement. Consider tactile aids like stress balls or scented oils to enhance sensory grounding.
Intellectual Domain - Puzzles
Working on a jigsaw puzzle or other quiet, mentally stimulating activity encourages collaboration and focus. Puzzles range from simple designs to intricate ones, so you can tailor the challenge to suit your loved one’s abilities and preferences.
Accommodations: For individuals with cognitive or visual impairments, consider larger-piece puzzles or tactile, high-contrast designs. If puzzles are not an option, opt for other accessible brain games, like memory matching or sorting activities.
Vocational Domain - Meaningful Project
Collaborating on a purposeful project, such as organizing family photos, assembling a scrapbook, or crafting handmade gifts, provides an opportunity for connection and creativity. Projects can be tailored to match skill levels and personal interests.
Accommodations: Break the task into smaller, manageable steps and use adaptive tools if necessary (e.g., easy-grip scissors for crafting or voice-to-text software for writing captions). Provide clear instructions and periodic breaks for those who may tire easily.
Social Domain - Two Player Games
There are so many two player games out there that its almost guaranteed that you can find one your introverted loved one will enjoy.
Things to consider when choosing a game:
Do they prefer competitive or cooperative games?
Do they like strategy games?
How long do they enjoy spending on an activity before needing to recharge?
How complicated are the rules to learn?
Would they prefer a board game, a card game, or a video game?
Actualol’s most recent couple’s games video is long, but talks about 40 different two player games divided into four categories based on how competitive you want to be. For each game Actualol has also listed how long a game will last and a complexity rating.
Logitech G has a short video ranking their top 10 two player games for the PC. (would we want to just bullet point?)
Accommodations: Choose games with simple, accessible mechanics for those with cognitive challenges. Adaptive game controllers or large-print game materials can make activities more inclusive. Be mindful of game duration—shorter games may be ideal for those who fatigue quickly.
Do you know your personality type? Myers-Briggs determined that there were 16 different types, based on how we process the world and interact with others.
To find out your type take this free test and let us know what you got in the comments!
