50 Ways to Take a Five-Minute Break

It seems counterintuitive.

We have a to-do list a mile long, and yet we feel the need for rest.

But if we rest, we won’t apply ourselves to the to-do list.

How do you know if we should rest or not?

1. Listen to your body. It gives signals to share when you are over-tired.  Are you yawning a lot? Feeling clumsy? Mentally scattered?

2. Consider your emotions. Are you irritable or short-tempered today? Are you being snippy with people?

3. Take a 5-minute break. You may not be able to take a nap at your job, but there are lots of ways to take a five-minute break. Consider these ideas, many of which came from one of my “Question of the Day” discussions on my personal Facebook profile:

• Step outside, preferably in sunshine, and take several slow deep breaths (and then probably check my Facebook.)
• Close my eyes and just breathe.
• Sit still and stare into outer space.
• Meditate on the Bible or other inspirational material.
• Breathe, making a conscientious effort to exhale a little more deeply.
• Play ping-pong with a co-worker.
• Play a mindless game on my phone/tablet.
• Dance.
• Find a quiet place to sit, close eyes, and slow down breathing, clearing my mind.
• Do part of a crossword puzzle.
• Take a quick bike ride.
• Sit and watch birds at a feeder.
• Turn lights off in the office, close door and put head on desk (hoping not to fall asleep!)
• Read part of a book I’m working through.
• Do yoga or other forms of stretching.
• Turn music up loud and dance/sing.
• Walk outside.
• Go find a beautiful view nearby.
• Walk up and down a flight of stairs.
• Stand on tiptoes.
• Go out onto deck/patio/lanai.
• Lay on floor and stretch, then wrestle with my dog that pounces on me.
• Play with my kitten.
• Walk 250 steps per hour (reminded by FitBit)
• Get coffee.
• Call a loved one to say “hi.”
• Text or call a friend that I haven’t connected with for a while.
• Write a thank-you note.
• Make a fun flipbook drawing using a little post-it note pad.
• Listen to a podcast.
• Take the dog outside.
• Refill water bottle.
• Take a look at social media.
• Play an instrument.
• Color.
• Have a healthy snack.
• Wash a few dishes or do some cleaning.
• Fold laundry.
• Use the restroom and take time to breathe while there.
• Journal.
• Read an article/post by a favorite author or blogger.
• Read to or play with a kid.
• Do some food prep.
• Tidy up my desk area.
• Look through some inspiring photos.
• Do some form of strength training.
• Post something uplifting to social media.
• Pray.
• Do an act of kindness (i.e. give a tip to a service provider such as a security guard, public works/sanitation worker, etc.)
• Focus eyes on a distant scene to give them a break.What would you add to this list?

Image by silviarita from Pixabay