5 Minutes

5 minutes exercises to boost your energy!

Imagine our body is like a car running 24/7 (even in our sleep, our cells are working hard!) for as long as we live. No matter how busy we are, we could park this “car” along the side of the road for just 5 minutes.

To try this 5 minutes exercise, look through the list below. Pick one bullet item that appeals to you. There are group 5 minutes exercises too that is great to do with family, friends, and even colleagues. For the self care one, you could do it by yourself or with an accountability partner.

Are you ready? Start your stop watch for 5 minutes. Go!

Self Care

• Imagine there are no worries, no tasks to do, no obligations, and no problems to solve. This may be hard for Type A personality person. You can do it! Just 5 minutes.

• Imagine you are living in your dream. How is it like? Yes keep imagine for 5 minutes.

• Meditate to clear your mind. You will be amazed by how effective a 5 minutes meditation brings.

• Do Nia dance. As you are dancing, be very happy and celebrate of who you are and your accomplishments. Imagine the day of world peace and everyone is healthy, celebrate!

• Practice deep breathing. Smile as you exhale. Do this for 5 minutes.

• Celebrate! Celebrating that you are alive. Celebrating who you are. Thank yourself for being born. Thinking of both little and big accomplishments in your life.

• Talk with yourself in the mirror and all the positive things about yourself. This one may seem odd but give it a try. You could combine this with laughing.

• Count your blessing and be grateful of what you have.

• Discard all self judgement or criticism. Yes, do this for 5 minutes!

• Notice the little things around you.

• If it rains, dance in the rain for 5 minutes.

• If it is sunny, dance under the sunlight for 5 minutes.

• Say thanks to your body starting with your head. Pad each part as you are saying thanks. Don’t forget your internal organs such as your heart, brain, kidneys, liver, stomach, pancreas. If you don’t know where they are inside your body, look it up in anatomy beforehand. Each of your finger and toe. Nail, hair, skin, etc.

• Write anything that comes into your mind. No judgement. No correction.

• Look at beautiful pictures for 5 minutes.

• Listen to beautiful music for 5 minutes.

• Accept your imperfection. Accept who you are and that you are just a human.

• If you have been suppressing your emotion to appear strong, have a good cry for 5 minutes. Try it in the shower where you can cry out loud because no one can hear you due to the sound of water (turn on the fan if it is available, then you can even increase your volume!). You won’t need a tissue to wipe your tear or blow your nose either in the shower. Letting the water running down your face will take care of it! If one can sing in the shower, one can cry in the shower too!

• Sing in the shower for 5 minutes 😄.

• Count your blessings in your life for 5 minutes.

• Write down the names of the people who bring positive changes to your life. Save that list because next time when someone disappoints you, look at this list to reassure you there are people who care.

• Think of the people who spark joy in your heart.

• Walk like a cat or dog. Loosen those muscles like how cats and dogs do. If your house has a sunny spot, stretch on the floor like a dog or cat for 5 minutes.

• Make circles with your hands, feet, head, shoulders, and body.

• Write down any negative thoughts or any grudges onto a sheet(s) of toilet papers. Flush it! Your negative thoughts will disintegrate and go down to the sewage. Gone forever!

With Friends, Family, or Colleagues

• Do impromptu Pixar storytelling exercise.. The first person will say, “Once Upon a time,…”. Then the second continues. As a group, create a story. Let go your self judgement, be creative and silly!

• Have a conversation using only “Star War” languages. Hint: There are Youtube videos for reference or just improvise!

• Have a conversation using animal sounds.

• How about converse in using musical instrument or sounds only. Whistle counts too!

• Communicate using a foreign language that no one in the group knows. The other person will challenge you with his/her foreign language too!

• Laugh with your family, friends or your colleagues for no reason or agenda!

• Make up your own ideas of 5 minutes fun exercise and share with others!

Everyday Health Tips >