So the whole thing my blog is centered around is prioritizing wellness when your schedule is full and you don't think you have time for yourself. Well, these tips are for your busiest weeks. I know you can find five minutes in your day to do these. No matter how busy we are, most, if not all, of us waste time or at least settle down at some point in our day. Here are some ideas for when you literally only five minutes to think about and take care of yourself and your wellness.
- Deep Breathing Exercises: Pause and take 10 deep, slow breaths, inhaling through the nose for four counts, holding for four, and exhaling through the mouth for four. For me, this reduces stress, calms my mind and spiraling thoughts, and resets my nervous system in minutes.
- Stretching: Stand up, stretch your arms overhead, roll your shoulders, and stretch your neck gently from side to side. This relieves muscle tension, increases circulation, and boosts energy levels.
- Gratitude Practicing: Take a moment to mentally list three things you're grateful for. You can write these down or just say them to yourself, out loud or not. This can shift our mindsets in a positive direction, therefore reducing stress and improving our moods.
- Say your affirmations: Repeat a positive affirmation, such as “I am capable,” “I am calm,” or “I am in control,” either silently or out loud. This boosts self-confidence and reinforces a positive mindset to your inner voice.
- Take a moment to get some fresh air: Step outside for a few minutes, take a deep breath, and soak in your surroundings. This provides a mental reset, re-energizes you, and helps slow down any racing thoughts you could be dealing with.
There are definitely more that I could have listed but theses are ones I like to use regularly. Which one did you like best? Do you have a five minute self-care practice that you love and I didn't list?
Thank you for sharing these tips! As the end of the semester approaches, I find myself with little time, so these are certainly helpful! I've been especially working on stretching and breathing as of late. Both are so easy to do but help so much sometimes!
ReplyDeleteI love the tips you shared! Recently I have been very stressed and honestly just out of it so these are very helpful tips and a way for me to just take a few minutes and focus on myself. I will be using these very soon!
ReplyDeleteMarina I know you run your own business and manage shifts at Chic-Fil-A so having an article like this coming from you means something. Deep breathing exercises are underrated and I've used the Wim Hof method for years at the point.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marina for all of your tips. This blog has been so helpful as I graduate in less than a month. It's definitely important to have "you" days or "reset days" which is my favorite. I call it "get your life together day". Every single Sunday I clean, and get my life together.
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