Self-Care Ideas That You Can Do In 10 Minutes Or Less

Are you having a hard time incorporating self-care ideas into your busy life? I have the right tips to help you make no excuses to get yourself some much-needed self-care and attention that you can do in 10 minutes or less. There is no reason for you not to be able to give some time for yourself, no matter how busy your schedule is.

I decided to write this article because I repeatedly hear from busy moms and career women that they don’t have the time to do something good for themselves. Instead, they put everyone’s needs in front of themselves and end up burning themselves out. Ain’t nobody got time for that! My goal is to make self-care manageable and easily implement these short, simple steps into your life so you can live your best life and feel like a million dollars no matter what’s going on around you.

Put On Face Mask

If you’re pressed for time, put on a facial mask before bed or while you read a book. Applying a mask on your face only takes a few minutes, you have to wash it off after letting it set for 10-15 minutes. Applying a facial mask or mask sheet includes hydrating skin, refining pores, and improving skin texture. 

Go For A Walk

Walking for self-care is a must and an easy thing to do if you are short on time. You can take a quick 5-10 minute block outside the office during work or get up early in the morning before your kids get up around the block to clear your mind. Walking is beneficial for your heart and respiratory system and a wonderful way to boost your energy.

Sit In Silence

Your first meditation lesson will begin with forcing yourself to sit in your chair with no distractions and sit still. That means that you may be confronted with thousands of racing thoughts and images that make you feel uncomfortable, and this is the time to tune into your body and let those thoughts melt over you. Several people come up to me at church and ask me how I manage to sit still and meditate. My easiest explanation is that it’s a challenge for me, and it takes practice.

Accept that you aren’t a yogi and keep your meditations short. Start with sitting still with your eyes closed for one minute, and the next day, sit for two minutes. If you keep the process simple, then you can do anything. If you have to hire a babysitter to watch your kids for an hour for you to get some alone time, then invest or pick a time early in the morning or after the kids go to bed to meditate. It can be done!

Read A Book

Is there a book you’ve always wanted to read but haven’t had the time for? Then it’s time to schedule 10 minutes each day to dedicate to reading a book or article to expand your mind or for the pure joy of reading. You can also listen to audiobooks while you clean, drive the kids to school, or exercise. This is the time not to make excuses, especially if you are reading about a subject that you’re passionate about. 

Take A Bath

Everyone has to shower or bathe at some point during the day…right? This is one complaint that I hear from new moms is that they don’t have time to take a shower. This breaks my heart because being a new mom is hard enough for women, but not feeling clean is inexcusable. It just takes some organizing and adjustment in scheduling. If you have a spouse who can get your kids ready for school while you shower, then all you have to do is ask. If you have to wake up 30 minutes early to take a shower and meditate, isn’t it worth going to sleep a few minutes earlier, so you have time for yourself? The point is that you have to believe that you deserve a few minutes for yourself and to set boundaries for things you need in life. 

Paint Your Nails

If you’re stressed out, then it’s time to make an appointment for a manicure and pedicure, or grab your nail polish at home and have a DIY Mani/Pedi. I’ve found that when I’m overwhelmed that painting my nails helps to relax me and get my mind off of ruminating over the same situations in my head. 

Watch A Inspiring Or Funny Video

Get inspired by watching a quick 5-10 minute motivational video on Youtube. Then, you will be amazed by how quickly your mood will improve by watching a Ted talk or even a clip from a comedy show. 

Make A Healthy Meal

If you love to cook, then finding new 10-minute recipes is right up your alley. This is not only a delicious way to nurture your body but allows you to use your creativity to make a new dish. 

Clean Up Your Home

Cleaning might now seem like an act of self-care; however, organizing and having a clean home helps to reduce anxiety and make you feel more confident. If you take 10 minutes a day to clean up your workspace or home, it will keep your house looking great and save you hours of cleaning time.

Journal

Expressing yourself through writing is a simple way to brainstorm and reflect. So grab a journal or composition book and start writing. You will feel 100 times better after writing down your feelings, creating a list, gratitude, ideas, songwriting, or brainstorming. I do this daily to express gratitude and slow down racing thoughts in my mind. 

Call A Friend

Have a quick chat with one of your best friends just to check in and say hello. 

Stretch 

If you feeling stiff and achy then take a few minutes to stretch your body. You can find some great videos on Youtube. One of my favorite videos to watch is Yoga with Adriene. Adriene’s calming voice and adorable dog will have you feeling zen in no time.

Update Your Vision Board

If you have a few extra minutes on your hand take a moment to update your vision board. 

The one lesson I want you to take away from this article is that self-care is doable. But you must be intentional and claim that time for yourself. You deserve to have time for yourself. I know that starting today, you will take one small step toward creating a life centered on self-care. If you want to learn more about implementing self-care into your life, check out How To Plan The Perfect Summer Self-Care Retreat.