Mindful Ways to Use 15-Minute Time Blocks
Whether you are a diligent hour-by-hour planner or a free and flexible scheduler, you likely find yourself, from time to time, with a few spare moments between scheduled/necessary activities. All too often, this precious time is permitted to slip through our fingers and fall to whatever first demands our attention. In the ever-digital world, this is often a notification, followed by reviewing text threads, checking (and re-checking) social media and consuming the endless offering of entertainment that is constantly vying for our focus.
While there is nothing wrong with kicking back and enjoying a few moments on your phone, REMEMBER - purposeful efforts compounded over time can make a massive difference in the long run! A simple 15 minutes, when used mindfully, can propel you toward your goals down the road and create more peace for today. This week, we invite you to silence your notifications for a day, and pick one or more of the following ideas to make better use of these little pieces of spare time throughout your day.
At Home
Jot down a brief journal entry or gratitude statement for the day
Enjoy a short guided meditation
Accomplish 1 simple food prep task (chopping veggies, pre-measuring ingredients, whipping together a homemade dressing or sauce)
Tackle 1 chore you dislike or avoid (we promise, you’ll feel a whole lot better after it’s done)
Revisit your planner - pick a quick “to do” to accomplish and check off
Write a letter to a grandparent or loved one at a distance
Out and About
Start a conversation with a stranger with the intent to add value to their day
Listen to a classic novel in your car
Stop by the gas station to get your significant other’s favorite treat for them
Pull out a physical book and sit to read
Browse a local shop/small business in your area
Call up a sibling or friend just to let them know you were thinking of them
At Work/The Office
Strengthen a relationship with a co-worker - ask meaningful questions to get to know them better
Clean out an area of your workspace that needs decluttering
Take a brief walk, using stairs if available
Listen to a peaceful playlist and practice being present (without multitasking!)
Pull out a resistance band and practice posture-promoting exercises or stretches
For Teachers
Listen to an audiobook on teaching methods, interpersonal communications, or psychology
Send an email to a more experienced teacher in your subject area and ask a question
Read a current scholarly article in your field (or begin/add to your “articles to read” list)
Scan through your next lesson plan to mentally review/rehearse
Write a thank you note to one of your students, parents, or administrators
Review a recently taught lesson plan and make notes for changes and improvements next time around
For Students
Arrange a group study session for an upcoming test
Take a moment to review and highlight class notes
Begin brainstorming for your next paper or project
Take a timed power nap
Get outside for a brisk walk to get your body active and your mind renewed
Create or add to a refreshing new study playlist
Network with an admired professor in your subject area
For Moms
Play actively with your younger child
Sit down beside your older child and engage in what they are working on - ask questions eye-to-eye
Plan a family activity or mini lesson for your children
Make your child’s favorite snack
Help your child draw a picture or write a card for your spouse
Take a warm bath or paint your nails (you deserve it, mama!)
We hope a few of these ideas have inspired you to make 15-minute time blocks count! Remember - the goal is not perfection in how we fill every free moment of our time, the goal is improvement in how we approach these free moments. As you make slow and steady changes to replace passive time-use with mindful time-use, we hope you will feel more rejuvenated, accomplished, and centered.