10 Self-Care Activities You Can Do Under 10 Minutes
10 Self-Care Activities You Can Do Under 10 Minutes
Self-care is super important for keeping ourselves balanced and in a good place.
As self-care gains more traction and people are becoming aware of the benefits, it can be easy getting lost in articles that make it complicated.
I’ve seen so many that talk about complicated self-care routines and plug expensive products to boot.
That may work for some people, and it is nice having an in-depth session that truly nourishes us. But, a lot of us just don’t have the time or energy for that.
Instead we need to cherish all those little acts of self-care that add up and fuel us in our everyday lives.
*This post contains affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through this link. But don’t worry, there is no extra cost to you. I will never recommend anything I wouldn’t personally buy myself. Please read my Privacy Policy here for more info. Thank you!*
10 Self-Care Activities 10 Minutes and Under
As we go through our day partaking in little acts of self-care, we can lose the benefits they truly have for us.
So, taking time to be in the moment and enjoying the activity can really help boost our day and ourselves.
With this in mind, I’m sharing 10 simple self-care activities that you can do in 10 minutes or under.
I’ve chosen 10 different acts of self-care that help nourish our lives in different ways from mind to physical health.
Make sure you take the time to be present while carrying out the activities and commit them. Let them be moments of joy and calm in your busy day.
1: Listen to a 10 Minute Podcast
Listening to a podcast can be a relaxing activity or can aid when we are doing certain tasks.
I love to use podcasts when I’m doing blog admin or working around the house. It helps my brain concentrate and also adds entertainment.
But, I also enjoy using this as a relaxation technique.
Put on a podcast of your choosing that’s 10 minutes or under, and lay on your bed.
Really listen to what’s being said and enjoy this time relaxing your body and keeping your mind active.
2: Meditate for 10 Minutes
Another relaxation technique I like to use when I need some down time to decompress is meditating for 10 minutes.
This helps after a particularly busy day. I’ll set my timer for 10 minutes and sit in silence with low light. I find that it helps me decompress from the noise and the rushed feelings.
You can do some breathing techniques to help you feel less stressed and calm your mind.
You could also try listening along to a meditation guide on YouTube if that’s more your thing.
3: Write an entry in your journal
Sometimes life can feel all too encompassing and we need to brain dump.
Using a journal is a great way to get thoughts out of your head and onto the paper. This can aid in sorting through emotions and getting things off our chest.
It’s a safe space to write exactly what you’re feeling or thinking and allows for you to process. You can write whatever you want and there’s no pressure to hold yourself back.
Use this as a way to get in-touch with your feelings and gain clarity on situations you’re worried about or thinking about.
4: Play with a pet
Playing with your pet is a lovely way to switch off from the serious world and let your inner child loose.
Playing with your pet can help boost your self confidence and lower anxiety so it’s a nice way to bond with your furry friend and help yourself.
Taking time out of your day to let loose and enjoy the company of your beloved companion can help clear your minds and use up some energy.
Use it as a way to get in-touch with your playful side and let yourself be free. Be present in the moment and enjoy it for what it is, a simple everyday pleasure.
5: Make your bed and tidy up surfaces in your room
I don’t know about you, but I can’t function properly in a messy space.
When my surroundings are untidy, I don’t feel motivated and it doesn’t help my mood. So, tidying that space up and making it look better also helps to change my mood and increases productivity.
Taking just 10 minutes out of my morning to make my bed and clean up the bed side tables can set me up for a good day.
Try making your space around you tidier and enjoy the process of going from messy to tidy. You could always try taking a before and after picture to really see the difference.
6: Give yourself 5 compliments whilst looking in the mirror
Keeping our mental and physical health in a good place is a top priority, but so is the relationship we have with ourselves. I’m talking about that self-love relationship.
Taking care of ourselves in a way that nourishes the body, mind and soul is important, so make sure you’re also focusing on giving yourself some love.
Try standing in front of a mirror and giving yourself 5 compliments.
Find those things you like about yourself and repeat them in the mirror. Over time this will help you recognise that those things are true and aid in warding off negative self talk.
Once you accept those compliments and truly believe them, pick 5 new compliments and repeat the process.
Here are some examples of what you could say to yourself:
- I have a lovely smile
- My eyes are a beautiful colour of [Insert your eye colour]
- I really like my legs, they are so nice
- I have a beautiful body
- My waist is just perfect
- I have really nice hair
- My bum is really toned
- I am a caring person
- I have a good heart
- My worth isn’t tied to my weight
- I am a good mum
7: Grab a cuppa and sit for 10 minutes
How often do you have a cuppa and sit down for a minute? And how often do you relate this to Self-Care?
This is an activity that doesn’t feel like it makes a difference, but it really can.
Making yourself a cuppa and then sitting down for 10 minutes to truly enjoy the quiet is a peaceful feeling. This can help us recharge a little before getting on with the day.
Use this time to appreciate the moment of calm and allow yourself to enjoy the sit down uninterrupted.
8: Have a little dance party
Making sure that we are also incorporating moments of fun and silliness is important because this also aids in our self-care.
Moments like this help us to feel at one with ourselves and let go of any tension and self ego.
Popping on a 10 minute playlist or a couple of your favourite songs and dancing away with not a care in the world is very freeing.
Let yourself get lost in the music and enjoy this moment of fun. It’s great busting out some moves while no one is watching and laughing with yourself.
9: Go for a little walk/walk the dog
Just like sitting down can be great for relaxing self-care, getting up and moving is a great way to nourish the physical side.
Getting out in the fresh air and moving can really help clear our minds and help us be active.
This can be a great way to increase your N.E.A.T.
N.E.A.T stands for Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis and this references the energy that is expended doing everyday tasks such as going to work, cleaning the house, gardening and more.
In basic terms it means all the activities you do that aren’t considered exercise.
By going a 10 minute walk a day you can help your body stay active and get you moving. Even better if you have a dog to walk, you’ll have company!
10: Make yourself a smoothie
This may not seem like a form of self-care, but making yourself a nourishing smoothie is great for getting nutrients into the body and eating a bit healthier.
By giving yourself good foods and nutrients, you’re helping both your physical and mental health.
Plus, it doesn’t seem so time consuming when you think about it. After all, you’re only making yourself a smoothie which is fueling your body, you make food all the time!
Enjoy the process and have a play around with recipes to find what you like and what you don’t.
It can be a way to do a solo activity just for you that’s also beneficial. That way you’re gaining new skills, doing an activity, nourishing your body, fueling your body and taking alone time just for you.
All of that in one simple self-care act.
Posts you may like
- Why You Need a go to Self-Care Plan and How to Create One
- 4 Types of Self-Care Nights You HAVE to try
Love these suggestions! I like that you’ve included just sitting with a cuppa. It’s surprising just how well it can work, to try to calm and switch off for a bit, to calm down and focus on just being without stressing, working on a never-ending to-do list or beating yourself up over what you’ve not done. Self-care is best started with some quiet time to reflect, where you come to appreciate that you need and deserve time to yourself and you deserve to be a little kinder to yourself. xx
I love this post! Too often we skip out on self care as we struggle to find (make) the time. Knowing we can fit things in (that really do make a difference) in just 10 mins is such a good thing to keep in mind!
I love these ideas Jordanne! I really like making my bed because it makes me feel more organised and less stressed, love the idea of having a quick tidy of surfaces too x
I like the idea of taking a before and after picture when tidying up. That can be a good motivator to keep things nice and clean more often 🙂
The problem I have with podcasts is they can get into heated debates, which can make people heated lol