5 Minutes a Day

At last month's support group meeting, I issued a challenge to my group members. "Spend 5 minutes a day doing something just for YOU." The goal is to realize that we need to take time out of our busy days of doing-for-others and focus on our own health and well-being. Not just our physical health, but most especially our emotional health. Here are some suggestions for how to spend your 5 Minutes.

1. Tea Time: In the quiet of the early morning before the rest of the house is awake, take the time to brew yourself a cup of tea (or coffee or cocoa) and sit quietly with your thoughts. Keep the lights dim, curl up on the couch with a warm blanket and savor the alone-time. This ritual is also ideal for night time just before bed - it will allow you to clear your mind of the day's worries and prepare you for restful sleep.
2. Yoga: I love Yoga and find the streches help me to relax while allowing my body parts to slowly wake up and become alert for the day. Many mornings I'll start my day with 3 or 4 Sun Salutations followed by a few other yoga poses. A full-blown yoga practice would be about an hour, but if I can start my day with 5 minutes of stretching and focus, it makes my day more relaxed overall.
3. Meditation: There are many definitions of meditation. My personal theory is that meditation is simply a time to be quiet with your mind and allow yourself to be present in the moment. Sitting comfortably in a chair with your eyes closed and palms facing upward allows you to bring your focus to your breath and allow your  mind to relax in the moment.
4. Pampering: It only takes 5 minutes to paint your toenails or put on a mud mask for a quick facial. It only takes a few minutes to slather your body with yummy smelling lotion or do a mini-manicure. Pampering your body isn't about being selfish or vain, it's about taking care of yourself in a way that will allow you to feel good about how you look and feel. Emotional health is just as important as physical health and pampering is all about taking care of how we feel about ourselves.
5. Awareness Walk: I'm not talking about a "workout" when I suggest a walk. This is more of a meditative walk where you walk slowly and take in the sites and sounds around you. Notice the nip in the air as winter arrives. Notice the sounds of birds chirping as you walk through the woods. Notice how the air feels as it enters and exits your lungs. Feel the crunch of gravel under your feet. Just a short walk around your neighborhood or even your backyard will help you to appreciate the blessings you have in  your life.

What are you doing to take care of yourself? How will you spend your 5 Minutes a Day?

~Pam