Top 10 Things to Do in 5 Minutes

1) Brush and floss your teeth

Believe me, your dentist will thank you. Even if you’ve already gone through your morning routine and it’s the middle of the day, doing this simple thing can make you feel refreshed. It’s also a wonderful tip for anyone on a diet. That minty feeling in your mouth will help to curb your appetite. It’s also a very simple way of taking care of yourself when everything else around you is going crazy.

2) Put away the clean dishes.

If you’re on your way out the door but have five minutes before your significant other or kids are ready this is a great little chore to do. You don’t even have to load it, it will be ready for you when you get home, making life move just a bit smoother and quicker.

3) Take the trash/ recycling out

This is also a small chore that takes almost no time at all and can make coming home just a little bit nicer. It will also keep your trash from stinking up your kitchen and remove temptation from the dog. If need be, you can even outsource the job to your kids or your significant other.

4) Make a grocery list

It doesn’t take long to make a quick look inside the fridge to see that you need milk and eggs and cheese. Make this task even quicker by keeping a magnetic list on the fridge so you can write things down as you run out. With a list all ready even if you’re not the one going to the grocery store, you know important items won’t be forgotten.

5) Read/ sort your mail.

Your paper mail that is, not your e-mail. After you’ve read your mail, sort it into three piles: urgent, important but not urgent, and throw away. Toss the third pile and put the first two in an easy to see and obvious place so you know you have to deal with it. I put mine in the freezer with the ice cream, that way I remember to deal with it and can do it as I enjoy my after dinner treat.

6) Find and order a book to read on Amazon.com

Amazon even manages to make recommendations for you. So first pick that book that you’ve been meaning to read but just haven’t gotten around to. After that, Amazon will help you find books that you might like. Check their top 100 list to see what other people are reading and to get some good ideas.

7) Replace the air filters in your house.

This is a very important chore that often gets forgotten. Replacing your air filters will keep the air in your home much cleaner and help you breath easier. If you get the really expensive filters, they can even filter out germs, making your home and the people in it, healthier as well.

8) Call your significant other to let them know you’re thinking about them.

This is a move that will earn you some serious brownie points. It will be a nice moment of reprieve for you and your significant other. Try to avoid “honey-do’s” during this phone call and just focus on each other. It’s a great way to stay connected during the day, even if only for five minutes.

9) Play thumb wars/ rock paper scissors/ go fish with your kid.

This is a great way to make sure your young ones know you’re not too busy for them. It can also be a great moment of connection and bonding. Mix up the small activities to fit your child’s age and maturity.

10) Self-massage

Take a moment for yourself. Rub your neck and shoulders but don’t limit yourself to there. Try massaging your hands right at the fleshy part between your thumb and pointer finger, massage your scalp or your feet. This is a great way to relax for just a moment. You can even do this at your desk.