Plan Your Five Minute Breaks
It's hard enough that breaks are so short- without wasting them wondering what you should be doing in them.
Why not plan your breaks like you plan your week? Here's some of our favourite - five minutes of calm.
Meditation Meditation Meditation
That's what you need
Use the Calm app Experience Calm or try one of the free meditations available on Spotify; I particularly like these meditation minis as they are short,( 5- 10 mins) guided & there are loads to choose from, depending on what you need: Meditation Minis Podcast - Chel Hamilton
Colouring
Colouring geometric patterns is clinically proven to sooth those nerves. You can download a number of mandala templates here. Yes it might take longer thank 5 minutes to complete fully, but that's the beauty of colouring- you can stop & start at whim! Free coloring pages for you to print
Play Tetris!
Playing this visual game actually thickens the cortex and makes us more efficient thinkers! Not only that but it can reduce food cravings; and there is a growing body of evidence that show it can help reduce PTSD symptoms including flash backs. It also improves your sleep and can lead to healthier habits, so why not play here
Journaling
Journaling has been proved to aid productivity & assist emotional management. If you don't know where to begin then why not try a journalling app? Recording gratitude is especially useful when you are feeling overwhelmed. Start a Digital Journal With These Great Apps
5 minute work out
Start your day feeling on top of the world with this 5-minute bedroom workout combining strength and flexibility exercises.
This routine from physiotherapist Nick Sinfield starts with some gentle in-bed tension-releasing stretches and finishes with a series of energising power moves.
Try to do this workout every morning to burn calories, ease away aches and pains, boost your mood and feel more alert.
Find Happiness
Find happiness. Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project and presenter of the podcast, Happier, has a series of short podcasts called a Little Happier. Short uplifting tales to boost your happiness. Happier with Gretchen Rubin - Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project
5 minute walk
Start & end your day with a five minute walk.
Being outside has huge benefits & even if it's just a walk around your garden or up & down your road, then getting some fresh air & a small amount of exercise is a good thing!
If you don't fancy a walk then a five minute wonder is also good- just lay under tree & look at the branches & let your mind wander. If you don't have access to a suitable tree then the clouds in the sky are perfect to muse on. Breathe slowly & deeply & let your mind drift away from work.