At all times, let's not forget taking care of thyself comes number one – because from there we are in a better position to love others – and be loved. When we are in a healthy space, we become more open to conversations, listening, growing, and carrying enough space to take care of more than just ourselves. All too often we forget about ourselves, taking ourselves for granted and that “we can do it!” as we run through the day, pushing ourselves to the point we're exhausted. This, in the long term, is not healthy.

So – 5 minutes…It feels like forever when you’re waiting for someone to leave a parking spot, or like a second when spending it with a loved one about to board a plane. It’s all about what you make of the time. And if you think you’re worth it, then 5 minutes is almost nothing to spend each day – especially if broken out into small intervals. Try some of these 1 minute rituals and see what they can bring to your day. Do all or repeat what resonates with you 5x a day, or make up your own. (Then please share! I want to know what works for you!) I know that for me it helps me feel a little more grounded and glad.

Breathe.

This is clearly not an original suggestion, but still worth noting to practice. Taking 60 seconds of space helps clear your mind and ground you – allowing for the space to mentally regroup, reflect, and also re-oxygenate. I find that even smiling when I breathe (or even imagine yourself smiling if it’s less appropriate to be doing a solo-grinfest) helps lift mood. Counting breaths also help – believe it or not, I find it easier to count down vs count up if becoming distracted mid-count is an issue.

Say Those Three Words.

No, not I Love Me (hehe, of course.) Take a moment for a mini-reflection of your feelings or mood. State 3 words that describe how your feel. This small practice of being present and grounding yourself in the moment helps you feel clearer of mind, perhaps even ready to tackle what’s next. Even if the emotions feel negative, at least you’re aware of them and not just reacting to them, and constantly being reactive can feel very draining.

Mini Facial Massage.

We have many pressure points on our face – and some are easily accessible for low-maintenance self care. Using thumbs to give these points a firm-yet-gentle press can help release tension and increase circulation, which in turn also brings fresh nutrients from the blood into our facial area. I like pressing in on my temples for a few seconds and repeating a few times. Pressing upwards on the inner parts of my eyebrows, as well as across the cheekbones feels nice too. Doing gentle massage circles at the jawline and outside the side edges of your mouth is surprisingly relaxing – especially for those of you who grind your teeth, clench a lot, or well, talk a lot too. Give that jaw some TLC.

Spice It Up.

I like to have Ginger powder, Turmeric powder, and Cinnamon powder ready within reach in my kitchen. Take a second to add a pinch of spice into your anything you eat or drink, like cinnamon in your coffee, turmeric on your eggs, ginger in the stir fry – just a little smidge each day still gives health benefits and that special touch of gourmet. Because hey, we’re special.

Vibe Good Mojo at Someone.

Take a moment to think about someone you care about – whether in your daily life of someone you haven’t seen in a while, and why you’re grateful for their presence (or input) in your life. This should be a positive feeling. Then reach out (or make a mental note to), call, email, or even just text a hello. It doesn’t have to be a big thing. Studies show that longevity is correlated to having strong social bonds and connections, so taking a minute a day to reflect on your social bonds can be a reminder to keep investing in healthy friendships and living longer!

Happy Lovin’!