Self-care ideas for busy people!
There’s no doubt that this year has been tough on everyone’s mental health. No matter who you are or where you’re from, someone in your life has been affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. You would think with all the extra time at home that we’d have learned to slow down and use our self-care ideas. But for many, more time at home means being isolated from their friends, family, and even significant others. Even working from home can be overwhelming with the inability to separate home and work life effectively.
It’s extremely important now more than ever that we learn the significance of taking just five minutes to decompress with simple self-care.
*If you’re a parent, it can be even harder to find time for self-care! Be sure to check out this post to learn more about how you can get the best from your self-care.
10 Five-minute self-care ideas.
1. Take time to breathe.
It may seem silly, but it’s so important that we take time to breathe. By which I mean we need to take proper, deep, refreshing breaths. The majority of us rush through life going about our daily routines without a second thought. We breathe, we digest, our hearts pump; We live. But the first thing, my therapist always asked me when I was showing symptoms of being overwhelmed was ‘is your breathing right?’
By taking deep, mindful breaths we’re allowing our bodies to fully exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. It’s also known to be a great way to lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety symptoms.
One of my favourite breathing techniques is the ‘4 in, hold for 7, 8 out.’ Before trying any breathing exercises make sure you’re in a comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed. I usually find the best place for this is in the shower, bath, or even while using the loo.
Check out this post about Sunday self-care to get you ready for the week ahead.
2. Hydrate.
It takes just five minutes to hydrate. In fact, it might even take just a few seconds if you have water or juice ready! I always make sure to have a bottle of orange juice with me while I’m writing, gaming or even just chilling on the couch.
*As wonderful as coffee is, it rarely hydrates and actually causes the opposite effect if taken in excess.
3. Stand up and stretch.
If you’re working in an office or even if you’re in customer service, always take the time to step away from your work area and stretch. Not only is it a great way to take five minutes from your workspace, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to exercise your dormant muscles, release tension, and even reduce stress.
4. Listen to your favourite song.
It takes just two seconds to pop on your favourite feel-good tune or loved-up ballad. Step away from the computer, the TV, or the mountain of paperwork, and just take three to five minutes to enjoy your favourite melody. If you’re feeling extra bold, why not do your stretches to your favourite song? Better yet, why not dance!?
5. Write down five things that you’re grateful for.
Gratitude is one of the best things to come out of my personal recovery. Not only have I learned to stop and appreciate the little things, but writing them down also ensures that they never slip my mind. I’m constantly reminded of the wonderful people I have, the beautiful home I own, and the cuddly cats that I’ve adopted. Even the simplest things like witnessing a sunrise or having a great cup of coffee make it on my list.
6. Spend time with your pets.
Take some time away from the TV or the computer to cuddle your nearest and dearest. By which I mean your pets. Cat, dog, ferret – no matter what it is, drop all and take five minutes to show them how much you love them. Not only is this a great way to make them feel good, but it’s also been proven that pets can have a positive impact on our mental health.
7. Have a snack.
Take just five minutes to nourish yourself. Grab an apple, a banana or even a bag of crisps. If you’re working from home it’s especially important to make sure you don’t miss any major meals or snacks so that you can keep your mind sharp!
Even if you’re just chilling around the house it’s important to nourish yourself.
8. Read.
You might not get much read in five minutes, but it’s better than nothing. Start that book or continue your current read. Even one page a day is a great achievement. Who knows? You might discover your next favourite novel by reading just a little at a time.
9. Send someone a text.
It takes no time to send a text to let someone know that you’re thinking of them. You can even give someone a call if you’re feeling up for it. Just checking in with someone briefly can make their day and let them know that you’re in their thoughts.
10. Light some candles.
Grab some beautifully scented wax melts, a couple of tea lights and freshen up your living space. I have a burner in each room of my house and frequently have them all going at once.
*Before lighting any candles or burners, please ensure they are safe to be left alone. If you have kids or animals, be aware that unattended candles can be dangerous.
To get more self-care ideas, check out any of the following posts.
Thank you, Lauren! We don’t all have time to practice lengthy self-care, so even five minutes of something is better than nothing.
These are some really great self care activities that only take 5 minutes. It is so helpful to have self care ideas for when you have a busy schedule. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren
These are great tips. I like to go out for walks and find this helpful to reduce stress.
Great tips. I enjoy doing yoga with my daughter. And walks, reading, and I love candles!
Great post! A lot of these I do regularly and my favourites would be time with pets and reading. Guess I could do more of #10, I got plenty of candles around the house as decoration, but maybe it is time to use them. 🙂
Hydration and time with pets are my favourite two. My two cats are mood enhancers ????
Hydration and time with pets are my favourite two. My two cats are mood enhancers 😀
I love these quick five minute self care ideas, most of these I class as self care and they really do help! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you for these tips, I love running and always have to remind myself of staying hydrated during my busy days. Good post!
These are all great ideas for quick ways to get some self care! I also love aromatherapy and going for a walk (which takes a little longer). Thanks for sharing!
These are some great examples of self care that are easily accessible and quick because let’s face it, as much as we all need self care finding the time for it is a challenge!
Wow what an amazing post. I am a lover of self-care but sometimes life gets so tricky and we tend to neglect the small self care acts. I’m definetly getting myself books and candles because they have been on my self-care list.
These are great tips. I do try to take short breaks during my work and just sit on the couch for 5 minutes, cuddling my cat. It definitely helps.
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This is great tips, I need to keep remember about hydrating my self. I will other tips too.yes self care is msut.
I need to get back into reading!
I read every night before I got to sleep to relax. I also like to stretch during the day, it helps a lot.
I enjoyed reading your post. This year, I am determined to practice self-care
This is very refreshing post I have read today. It motivates me to slow down on my daily task and keep calm,
Easy thing to do that for sure can change our day. All these things can bring a lot of positive energy!
What a cool list of 5-minute self-care ideas. My favourites are journaling gratitude, listening to a song, lighting candles and reading.
It is good to have quick ways to reset and feel more grounded. I get overwhelmed a lot and it is so important to take a few minutes to get in a better place.
LOVE 4,7,8 breathing!! Thank you for the quick tips for busy mamas!
I think these are wonderful ideas. It’s so important to always do self care. One of my favorites is to read a book.
Great ideas! I listen to music every single day. And as a blogger wherein I spend a lot of time sitting in front of the pc, I make sure to stand up and stretch from time to time. 🙂
I’m gonna need these self care ideas! I’ve been very busy and I really have no time do some routine and this is just so perfect.
Yess love a super quick self care idea. These small moments are what get me through the day! I love to just have a break and spend some time snuggling with my dog or eating a cake or reading a chapter of my book x
I am so loving this list of self care! My wife and I are are going to need these things. Thank you for sharing.
Number 4 and 7 really works. It’s my favorite of all self care routines..hehe
I need to do better at hydrating and taking a few minutes for myself. Thanks for the great tips!
These are all wonderful ideas. I can’t wait to give some of them a try.
I do almost everyone of them once in a while if next once a day and they are a great way to start a task or my day. I really love them and they actually help. Thanks for posting!
I do most of these things.But it is always important to remind about selfcare.Reading a book in a quiet place is something which I really admire…
Love these, I try to do as many as possible. Spending time with my cats always helps me 🙂
Caroline | https://envirolineblog.com/
Yes to all these tips. We need to take the time to do these self care items. I love snacking and stretching.
For me, self-care involves taking NAPS and working out! 🙂
I have just started exercising this week and I am feeling invigorated! Some me-time I needed x
I love these ideas. I am all about self care. I tend to read a lot for mine.
I’m focusing on self care this year. Reading and stretching are something I’ll definitely be doing religiously.
Love this post, self care is definitely a number one priority. I do try and aim to do quite a few of these daily and you honestly do see a difference just taking that time out from everyone and everything including your phone and putting yourself as number 1. Thank you for sharing x
http://www.nadinealex.blogspot.com
I am dealing with the pandemic pretty well and take precautions as needed. I was glad to see I follow a lot of these self care tips already and my pets do help
These are wonderful suggestions! I love that you included spending time with your pets. Animals can be such incredible healers and bring us so much joy. Thanks for sharing these tips I will definitely be using them!
I love how accessible these self-care activities are — thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks for the tips! I work a desk job so it prompted me to get up and stretch and take some deep breaths.
I love how these options are all relatively quick and easy and yet have such huge benefits! Thank you for the reminders.
I try to do most of these everyday. It really does help me relax and reflect on what’s important in life.
Yay, I do all of these daily, if not weekly. All great options to take care of yourself.