7 One Minute Self-Care Tips to Relieve Stress

Life can be hard at times.  And it can feel stressful and overwhelming.  Sometimes life feels sad and mundane.  On the flip side, we all know that our physical health is crucial. That exercise, eating healthy, taking good care of our bodies, and self-care tips are essential for a happy life.

But often, we overlook our own mental and emotional well-being and needs.

We tend not to feel like we are important. It’s easy to give in and say, “I don’t have time.”

How often have you said those words when it came to your self-care?

Oh, you know it’s good for you. But really, who has hours to spare to take care of themselves?

“I have come to believe that caring for myself is not self-indulgent. Caring for myself is an act of survival.” — Audre Lorde

Quite simply, you do. You have more time than you think. These seven self-care tips will each take you less than a minute to perform.

1. Take a Deep Breath

When you feel like life is tense, you are stressed out, or even just a little ‘off,’ Stop and take several deep breaths.  It will change the situation for the better. But one key point is don’t just breathe. Hold your breath in-between steps for maximum impact. Start with inhaling to the count of four, then hold it for the count of four, and exhale to the count of four. You will find that a bit of a break from the moment will divert your brain from the situation and do a reset. Then things won’t seem as bad as your thought.

2. Slow Down Your Lunch for Self-Care

When is the last time you truly enjoyed your food? The next time you eat anything at all, pause in your chewing to savor the textures and flavors. This mindful method of eating will aid your digestion, and you can rediscover the joy of eating all at the same time!

3. Stop Everything

There is a lot to be said for a moment of silence. Try it to calm racing thoughts, lower your heart rate, and relax fully into the moment.  Do this by turning off your electronics and just sitting with your eyes closed. Even doing this for just 30 seconds does wonders for your state of mind. Try it. You will like it!

4. Look Around

Another excellent technique for calming yourself but still actively engaging the mind is noticing an object near you. Spend a full minute exploring this object, taking note of everything about it. Notice the colors it is and how the light strikes the surface? Close your eyes and see if you can recall this object in minute detail. This exercise will help in cognition and focus.

5. Daydream

Are you having a rough day? Taking a one-minute vacation in your head can help perk things up. Use this as a visualization exercise for an added benefit by picturing someplace you’d like to visit or something you want to experience in person someday.

As Michael Pollan wrote in “A Place of My Own: The Architecture of Daydreams.” “For isn’t it in our daydreams that we acquire some sense of what we are about?  Where we try on futures and practice committing ourselves to words or deeds?  Daydreaming is where we go to cultivate the self, or more likely, selves, out of the view and earshot of other people.  Without its daydreams, the self is apt to shrink down to the size and shape of the estimation of others. “

6. Show Gratitude

A thankful heart helps to shift how you see the world and is suitable for your mood and self-talk. Think of something you’re grateful for. Or better yet, take a minute to jot off a quick email thanking someone in your life for something you appreciate about them.

By taking a minute to yourself, you’ll be surprised at the impact this has upon your mental and physical self. Being more relaxed and less stressed will help you to feel healthier and happier as you go about your day.

7. Be Free and Dance.

If you would like to take an active stance for your self-care today turn on some music and dance.  The movement is so therapeutic it will liven up your spirits in no time. There is nothing quite like boosting your mood with uplifting music.  Before long, you have forgotten your troubles and are ready to redefine your problems to something more positive.

There are many reasons why self-care helps you become more efficient and make progress faster. Due to the nature of our busy lives, taking a break to look after yourself might sometimes feel like a luxury. We often believe that pushing ourselves to the point of exhaustion will lead to a bigger reward. But is that the case?

Put time for yourself at the top of your to-do list every single day, and the rest will fall into place.

I am Shirley Noah, author and an internationally known stress expert and entrepreneur. I would love to connect further with you to help you improve your health and well-being.  If you are interested in learning more about finding peace, treating yourself right, living with gratitude, and learning to “say no,” please look at my popular E-course, Self-Care the Art of A Happier More Peaceful Self.

What Other Ways Do You Find to Practice Self-Care?

If you would be so kind, leave a comment below about what other ways you have found beneficial for your self-care?

I hope you implement some of the ideas in this article and use the Share Buttons to help your friends and colleagues.