Seven 5-Minute Habits You Can Do Today To Boost Your Outlook on Life:

 It is truly astounding the impact that five minutes of focused attention can have in nearly every area of your life- from relationships, to household management, to your health. If you are finding yourself in a post-holiday slump and you’re not sure where to start to get the new year going in a positive direction, here are seven quick action steps you can take today to boost both your energy and outlook on life. 

For Your Marriage and Parenting Relationships: 

Surprise your spouse with a 5-minute foot or back massage. This simple show of humility and kindness can do wonders for your marriage. 

Take a break from your phone and/or your work and give your child/children 5-minutes of your undivided attention. Depending on their age and interests, this could mean reading a picture book, playing catch, listening intently while they talk, etc. This can speak depths of love to your child and help to refocus your attention on what matters most in an age of electronic distraction.  

For Your Home: 

Spend 5-minutes tidying and/or cleaning a room. The work will likely not be done in this time, but you will have made enormous headway in combatting that sense of overwhelm that so often threatens to paralyze progress. 

Take 5-minutes to declutter one small area, such as a drawer or shelf. Another option could be to scrounge up 5 unused or unloved items in 5 minutes from anywhere in the house.  Put them in a donation box in the trunk of your car and enjoy a little more space in your home and life. 

For Your Health: 

Do a 5-minute workout. This can be done in your kitchen while you brew coffee or prepare a meal. Keep dumbbells and a yoga mat in your pantry and bust out some quick resistance, stretching, and/or body weight exercises. Squats and planks are great for all-over body conditioning. 

Make a smoothie. This should take no more than five minutes, including rinsing the blender after use. Throw in a banana or two, frozen berries, another fruit for sweetness (such as mangoes, oranges, or pineapple), spinach or other greens, any superfood add-ins (such as collagen, green powder, whey protein, etc., and milk. Blend, pour into glasses for yourself and the family, and top with a sprinkle of chia seeds. 

Take a 5-minute “fresh air” break. There is nothing quite like getting outdoors to restore your sense of wellbeing and wonder. Even if it’s just a quick break on the deck, get outside and breathe in the goodness of God’s creation. 

So, what are you waiting for? Put down your phone and go build a better life for yourself and your family, 5 minutes at a time.