5 in 10. Five healthy habits you can stick to in 10 minutes a day.
Surely, you have ten extra minutes in your day, right? If someone asked me that question when my kids were slightly younger than they are now, I would have wanted to...
Well, I would have wanted to do or say something awful but I won't get into that here because this is a wellness blog and I aim to keep it clean. Let's just say that the Sicilian-from-New-Jersey in me would have come out. How would anyone know how much extra time I have in my day with two young children, a husband, a career, a dog, a cat, etc., etc.,etc.
My point is, I understand completely if you want to stop reading this because you just can't imagine adding one more thing to your "to-do" list. But I have a feeling that somewhere, in the cobwebby corners of your mind, there are other things that you want to do in life--activities that you want to master, goals that you aim to reach, but you just don't know how or can't seem to find the time.
The choice to make a change has to come from you. You have to be willing to step outside of yourself and your routine and analyze a few things.
For one, you have to be honest with yourself with what's working for you and what's not. What is it that you want to change? What do you want to add into your life and what to you want to subtract? This choice comes from you and only you.
Once you've figured out what you want, finding the time and resources to fulfill your goals is the next hurdle. I'm here to help you in that area. What if the big changes come in small doses? What if you pick one thing and devote 10 minutes to it, every single day? You'd chip away at your goal, one small accomplishment at a time. Eventually, you'll surpass what it is you set out to do. Then what!?
I defy you to pick one of five healthy daily habits** below and try it for 10 minutes per day for the next 30 days. How will your life change?
1. A sustainable workout routine- in 10 minutes? Why bother, right? Well, ten minutes on a regular basis is better than only working out on the days when you can carve out a full 30-60 minutes for it. Moving your body for ten minutes a day is a great way to start and maintain a healthier lifestyle. You'll also elevate your mood and (hopefully) put a smile on your face. Turn on some music and dance for ten minutes, do a series of pushups, sit-ups and squats or grab some dumbbells and follow an arm workout on Youtube. Whatever you do, do it for 10 minutes EVERYDAY. Even on the weekends. Even when it's almost time to call it a night and you haven't done it yet, do it!
**Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and this advice is only based on my personal experience. Always consult with your physician before starting any diet or exercise program.
2. A healthy drink to kickstart your day - my husband makes this drink every morning and it's a keeper. It doesn't take 10 minutes to make - you can make it in 3-4 minutes and use the rest of the time to enjoy each sip. I make coffee in the morning but I know I'd be better off having this drink before my coffee. What can I say? I'm a creature of habit. But I do love the idea of setting 10 minutes aside to enjoy my morning whatever - coffee, tea, lemon water, vodka. Oh wait - nope - leave out that last one. This is a WELLNESS blog, remember?
3. A meditation practice - it might be beneficial to split up your 10 minutes of meditation into five in the morning and five at night. Use your morning meditation to set your intentions for the day and the nighttime meditation to reconcile that fact that none of it went as you had planned (or maybe it did! Score!). There's no shortage of guided meditations online so find some that you like and go for it.
4. A yoga practice - one of the best things about yoga is that you can do it anywhere; all you need is a mat and if you don't have that, you can still do it! You can learn a lot about your body in 10 minutes of yoga like where you're holding onto tension. Listen to your body during this time; connect with it so you can help it along.
5. A journaling practice - If you've ever wanted to learn more about yourself, journaling is a great place to start. It offers a great insight into your state of being...if you're honest with your journal, of course. But that's the point, right? Your journal is a safe space for your thoughts. It's a beneficial way to process your emotions. Give it a try. Grab a beautiful paper journal, start a blog or get a journaling app on your phone.
Can you really change your life in 10 minutes? I believe that you can. What these exercises lack in daily minutes, they'll make up for with their duration of days. Keep at it. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the results.
~In wellness,
Leslie
**Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and this advice is only based on my personal experience. Always consult with your physician before starting any diet or exercise program.