In this world, we all need a way to unplug. I’ve found a 30-minute or 5-minute me-break can do wonders for anyone.
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30-Minute Break
Throughout my adulthood – before kids, while raising kids, and as an empty nester – my favorite way to find me-time has been a half-hour prayer/meditation break. It relaxes, rejuvenates, and gives me the proper perspective for my day and my life. I think many years of that practice has had a cumulative effect, making it easier to feel calm and centered regardless of what’s happening externally.
Granted, there have been many times when I’ve been too exhausted to stay awake for a full 30 minutes of prayer and meditation. And that’s alright in my mind. 30 minutes of prayer/meditation/sleep is always wonderful as well.
I’ve taken my 30-minute break the first thing in the morning, in the middle of the afternoon, and (on the busiest days) right before bed at night. My favorite times are first thing in the morning or mid-afternoon, but life doesn’t always allow for that. And that’s alright, too.
5-Minute Break
When I lived in England for a year and a half, I fell in love with the English habit of drinking tea. I never liked regular tea or English tea, but I always loved herbal tea. I was amazed to discover how relaxing it is to simply brew a cup of tea and take the time to sit down and drink it.
For me, there’s nothing like sitting at my dining-room table with a cup of hot tea in one hand and a newspaper in my other hand. Yes, as much time as I spend online, I still love reading a physical version of the local newspaper!
Whatever is a relaxing way for you to spend a few minutes is what’s right for you, whether it’s drinking a cup of tea or coffee, a mini-meditation, listening to music, filing your nails, lying on the floor with your legs up against the wall for revitalization and improved circulation, or reading for five minutes.
Ideas for Kids While You Take a Me-Break
If you have a preschooler, I recommend a child-sized work table in your kitchen or dining room. It’s especially helpful if there’s a favorite activity, such as a sensory bin, playdough activity, or food preparation/snack, that your child can do while you take time for yourself. If you have a special activity for your preschooler, you might even get quite a bit more than a 5-minute me-break!
2021 Update: 10-Minute Break
My favorite app is Calm. I use it daily. It has many great 10-minute and other lengths of meditations as well as other relaxation resources for both adults and kids. You can read about some free resources from Calm at my Bits of Positivity blog.
If you’d like unlimited guided meditations and master classes for yourself and sleep stories for your kids, the award-winning Calm App has a 7-day free trial and then yearly subscription available.
Note: I have lots of mindfulness resources, including free guided meditations at my Bits of Positivity blog.
What is your favorite me-break?
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My favorite 5-minute break is always knitting. It is a break. It is relaxing. But I also feel as though I’ve accomplished something at the end of it, which is important when life is in chaos and I feel as though nothing is getting done. At least I got another inch of scarf!
Thanks for your comment, Danielle! If knitting is something you enjoy, that’s a great break! My paternal grandmother never went anywhere without her knitting, and I know she found it very relaxing (and we all appreciated the wonderful sweaters she made).
Deb, what a great idea for a tea break! I love drinking tea but rarely do it in a conscious way… its always just sitting by my computer, or by the dishwasher – like a second thought. Going to try to make it a deliberate time to take 5 minutes of focus & relaxation!
Thanks, Kelly! I forget to take my tea break as often as I’d like. I tend to get caught up in what I’m doing … but it definitely helps whenever I stop and take the break!
My little ones are all at ‘difficult ages’ – sometimes I confess that it can get o me. I am going to follow your advice, and hopefully by the time they grow up their daddy won’t have lost *all* his hair!
LOL! Thanks for your comment, Barry! It is especially difficult if you have more than one under the age of 5. Good luck with finding some me-time!
I really like this idea of 30 minutes of prayer/meditation/sleep every day, and it’s so nice to hear that you feel it’s had a cumulative effect on you! I am going to try this out. Great post!
Thanks, Amy! I hope it works well for you. It’s made a huge difference in my life!
What a great idea to have an activity readily set up and reachable! I need to think how I could do that, because I love breaks. 🙂 I love herbal tea as well. There’s something so calming about it. Thanks for your experience and good ideas!
Thanks for your kind words, Lauren! I always loved taking some time to read the newspaper even before I developed the herbal tea habit. With the two combined, it’s even more relaxing and fun!
I have always wanted to be that take-30-minutes-for-myself person…
Thanks for your comment, Jessica! My 30 minutes has sometimes been pushed to late at night, but I figure something is better than nothing. And when I do get around to taking my 30 minutes mid afternoon or earlier, it’s great!
It’s inspiring to see that you have managed to take a 30 minute meditation break for the past 37 years, amazing! I tend to whittle my time away online, but am working to discipline myself more and actually spending some time intentionally just for me. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks for your kind comment! I might have had a more difficult time developing that habit if I would have had the Internet when I started! LOL! I’ve found for me that the only way I can develop a permanent habit is to not give myself the option not to do it. I don’t use that for a lot of things. Currently, I use that for my daily prayer/meditation, working out for an hour 3 times each week, and shining my sink (learned from FlyLady.net) every night before bed.
Great ideas! I love setting up my 4 year old with colours, playdough etc and like you said, she does stay entertained for a good while. The trouble here though is my 15 month old, but he is learning from his sister and I’m sure before I know it he will be right there beside her colouring away.
Thanks for reminding me about tea time. i love herbal tea as well and it is such a nice little mini break for oneself.
Thanks, Kat! It is great the way our children learn from their older siblings, isn’t it?! My daughter always amazed me with the way she was more mature because she wanted to be like her older brother!
Your idea to have a child sized table for activities near by is a great thing. I think when we want or expect a break, at least for myself, it can sometimes mean wanting to get away from the kids completely for a bit. But when I do that they seek me out, they get louder, argue, etc. But when I take a break with them right there involved in something quiet, they are usually much better behaved which makes my break all that more enjoyable. This has been a good reminder. Thanks!
Thanks, Melodie! I really found that to be one of my most helpful techniques. I could still feel like it was a break when my children were working nearby, and they were happy to be near me.
I have tagged you on my blog.
Thanks for thinking of me, Joelle! I won’t have time to answer the questions in the near future with the posts I’m wanting to do, but I will plan to answer the questions when I do my next awards post!
Short breaks in the midst of stressful days are so important. Honestly, that’s why I’ve relaxed on letting Kieran watch 30 minutes or so of TV almost every day – sometimes those 30 minutes are the only quiet ones I get!
Thanks for your comment, Dionna! It’s amazing how easy it is to forget to take short breaks, but they are so helpful. I actually do better with my 30-minute break and really have to remind myself to take short breaks as well!
These breaks are an absolute must. I usually use crayons, playdough or puzzles to keep my little ones busy so I can enjoy a few minutes to myself.
Thank you for your comment, Abbie! It’s amazing how much it helps to have activities to keep little ones busy, doesn’t it?! I was always comfortable with my children working beside me, so that helped a lot.