MICHELLE KEENAN empowers people and organisations to achieve optimal well-being by providing customised wellness coaching programs tailored to their unique needs and goals. This is her first column for the Times.
When life feels like a whirlwind of endless to-do lists and packed schedules, prioritising your well-being can seem impossible, but caring for your mental, physical, and emotional health doesn’t have to mean huge time commitments.
By weaving small well-being activities into your busy day, you can create a cumulative positive effect over time.
You can start now. Take a slow, deep breath, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Let your shoulders drop and really notice the feeling of the breath in and out.
Do it three more times and feel what effect it has on you. You can do this any time, anywhere.
Try it when you first sit at your desk, when you’re stuck in traffic, when you feel like snapping at your partner or kids, or right before bed.
This helps to calm your nervous system, reduce stress, and bring you into the present moment.
If an hour at the gym a few times a week is an impossible dream, moving around for even a few minutes during your busy day is better than nothing!
Stretch your legs for a couple of minutes between tasks or take a quick walk around the block during a break.
Even standing up and stretching your arms for 30 seconds can help alleviate tension. Movement boosts your energy and focus, as well as benefitting your body.
When it comes to emotional well-being, check in with yourself.
Pause a few times a day and ask, “How am I feeling?” Naming your emotions can help you process them and prevent them from building up.
Make time for small moments of joy, whether it’s a five-minute phone call with a loved one or listening to your favourite song.
Incorporating these mini well-being moments into your day may seem small, but they add up. By making these tiny shifts, you’ll be better equipped to manage your busy life with greater calm, resilience, and energy.
