Everyone needs a break sometimes. Some days we usually only need a quick, few minutes. Other times we need an entire day. Then occasionally, we seriously require a full week without any serious responsibilities or obligations.
What is your 5-minute, re-calibrating method?
When I am working, I try to take a quick 5-minute break at the start of each hour. Otherwise I can seriously lose track of time and end up working for several hours – which kills my back and drains my energy.
My Mac has an Announcement Feature that tells me the hourly time.
Comment below, so I can add yours to my list when I get bored of mine.
Hug
One BIG thing I miss from my college days, was the easy access to great huggers. Living on-campus, you often ran into friends all throughout the day without any effort! I quickly learned who the best huggers are, and sometimes REALLY needed one. I mean, a SERIOUS, 5-minute hug. The kind that is strong, secure and seems to validate your existence. [Yes… I attended a hippie-kinda school! lol]
Other times, I gave these hugs to my special peeps.
Sniff
Some of my Essential Oils have aromatic qualities to help uplift, energize, relax or enlighten.
https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/discover/guide/balance
Find a garden, or discover what your calming scent is.
Sometimes, just walking into a Starbucks and getting that whiff is all I need.
Sing
Go to your car, shower, or other secluded place and SING your heart out!
I’ll just cycle through my Spotify and a certain song will hit all the right beats at that moment. In 5 minutes, you can really relish a song or two.
Dance
Bust a move to a power jam.
I am sometimes embarrassed to admit that I am a “Grey’s Anatomy” fan. [Which means that I have seen every single episode and am still currently watching as it airs.]
Anyway, one of my favorite relationships was between Christina and Meredith. Their sisterlike kinship felt pretty realistic, and when one (or both) were stressed – they would ‘dance it out’. A song was cranked up, and they would just flail, flap or swing their body however they needed to.
I love that…
Drink
Water or your favorite drink can do the trick. I enjoy my favorite drink (Arizona Green Tea, or alcohol…), S L O W LY and not chugging… and just sitting and vegging
Play
– Play a game on your phone
– Play a word game with a sign (I like patterns, and will work on a sign to see which ‘letter’ is used most)
Off Grid
Go ‘off grid’ and turn off, or walk away from all communication devices
Walk
We tend to go about our day, walking/driving/taking the same path and routines. Take a walk on a different path (down a different street, different hallway, different staircase etc.)
Water
Refill your water bottle
Take a Vacation
Set an alarm for 5 minutes, picture a destination, close your eyes, and go there in your mind.
When I ‘check out’, I breathe in the smell of the ocean, hear the waves coming in and the birds squawking for chips or fries. I can feel the sand crunching between my toes and the sun on my back.
Stretch
We all have a favorite yoga stretch, or make up your own.
Floss
Floss your teeth. Set an alarm and take your time giving your pearly whites some extra TLC.
Delete
Delete unread/useless email.
Postcard
Write and send a random postcard. Just cuz.
How often do you receive a hand-written note?
Pens
Test all the pens in a cup, drawer etc.
Toss
Throw away 5 things
Just make sure to set your alarm, so you don’t get too lost in your break.