When life gets busy—and it always does—it’s easy to let our wellness routines become anything but routine. And while taking some time for ourselves can be a challenge, it doesn’t have to become an afterthought. Activities like exercise, meditation and personal reflection may very well be the missing ingredient to jump-starting productivity and regaining a positive outlook on our day-to-day lives.
The next time your schedule has you feeling out-of-sorts or maybe just a little overwhelmed, remember to carve out some time for you. Try challenging yourself to one of the activities below – they’re only 20-minutes and the benefits will truly start to add up. These quick breaks are perfect for weaving into a busy schedule and will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever life has in store. Give it a try. Whether you make time for one or time for four, the important thing is you’re taking control by making time for what’s important. You.
Here are a few ideas to start with, but remember to choose what makes you feel the best.
20-Minute Spa Session
Give your body the renewal it craves.
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Release muscle tension and relieve joint pain
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Improve circulation
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Flush toxins out of the body
The Power Of Water: Top 5 Benefits Of Water Immersion
Live Dry, Recover Wet: The Magic Of Hot Tub Hydrotherapy
20-Minute Walk, Hike or Run
Get out there and soak in the sun.
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Burn 75 calories by walking just 2 mph
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Reduce stress and improve your mood with the release of endorphins
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Improve bone health with Vitamin D from the sun
Walk A Little Faster, Burn A Lot More Calories
WebMD – Exercise and Depression
Medical News Today – Vitamin D: Health Benefits, Facts and Research
20-Minute Meditation
Find a little inner peace.
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Manage stress and reduce blood pressure
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Improve focus throughout the day
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Sleep deeper and go to sleep faster
Need To Relax? Take A Deep Breath (Or Several)
Health and Yoga – Meditation … Its Benefits
Buffer Social – What is Meditation and How It Affects Our Brains
20-Minute Yoga Session
Get in shape and loosen up those muscles.
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Release muscle tension.
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Build strength and gain flexibility
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Reduce cytokine by 41% to energize and boost mood
Self – 7 Life-Improving Benefits of Yoga
20-Minute Mind Challenge
Sharpen your mind with brain-teasers and logic puzzles.
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Improve your memory.
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Develop your logic and reasoning skills
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Increase focus and strengthen concentration
Huffington Post – 7 Tricks To Improve Your Memory
Saving-Advice.com – 11 Reasons To Do Jigsaw Puzzles
20-Minute Reflection
Write a story, poem, or journal entry about your day.
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Enhance your memory with expressive writing
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Get a handle on stress by venting your emotions
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Enjoy the benefits of having a record of your life
LifeHacker.com – Why You Should Keep a Journal (and How to Start Yours)
Reader’s Digest – Reduce Stress Through Journaling
BJPsych Advances – Emotional and physical health benefits of expressive writing
Share these wellness challenges with your friends and family – just use the sharing icons. What challenges will you take on? Tell us in the comments below.
Further Recommended Reading
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