15 Minute Refresh Activities

Sometimes people think self-care has to be this big thing that takes significant time and often a lot of money. A trip away, time at the spa, an expensive gym membership, or hours set aside to really relax. The truth is, even 15 minutes can completely change how you feel. If you are stressed, dragging through the day, or trying to build better habits around taking care of YOU, here are some simple activities you can do in a short break to refresh, relax, center yourself, or get moving.

Take a walk. Outside is best because of the sun and fresh air, but around your office floor, the mall, or any indoor space does the trick. Your body will thank you for moving and loosening up. My office location is in a very walkable area so I enjoy walking to grab a cup of coffee and push myself to try a new place once a week. For something calming and less physical, sit quietly, close your eyes, and take slow deep breaths. Guided meditations are easy to find online and can help you reset in just a few minutes.

Have a sweet treat or a carbonated drink to perk up. Take a few minutes to plan your next more intensive self care activity. Set goals for the week for things you want to accomplish, try, or implement.

Do a quick tidy of your desk or a small space in your house to clear visual clutter. Doodle on post it notes, you can even use inspiration from Pinterest. Once on a lunch break, I painted a pot from the Dollar Store and now use it to hold pens on my desk. Journaling, write whatever comes to mind or list things you are grateful for. Reading a few pages of a book or listening to a podcast can give your brain a break too.

Be mindful of using social media as your 15 minutes, unless it is drafting a new post or working on your blog ideas. Mindlessly scrolling can be helpful some days to relax, but quickly can become a bad habit and can hinder genuine self care.

The point is, you don’t need hours or money to take care of yourself. These are the kinds of resets you can do anywhere, even on a lunch break or between tasks. They’re easy enough that “I’m too tired” isn’t an excuse.