Even if it's 5 min., it counts!

Do it first thing when you wake up or whenever you can! Start your day by stretching for a minute as you are starting to get out of bed. Side bend to each side and hold for 30 seconds. That's 1 minute of movement. Next, make your way to the bathroom to brush your teeth. Multi-task! Knock out some calf raises and stretches while brushing your teeth. That's 2 minutes! Before jumping in the shower or getting dressed complete 60 seconds of standing crunches. Alternate raising each leg towards your abdomen as you contract both arms into a church. WoooHoo! Now we've got the momentum to finish strong...only 1 more minute left (to hit that 5 minutes) of daily movement. Let's focus on our arms and punch it out for 60 seconds. Amp it up by saying (out loud) some positive affirmations that You are Awesome, You attract greatness, You are ready to have an amazing day filled with joy, laughter, and fun! It might sound and feel silly at first, but embrace it and notice how you feel after!

5 minutes of movement is a great way to get started. Ideally, if you have time for more movement, I would highly encourage it. I've always believed the hardest part of a workout is just starting. If you have not tried a Sculptness® Fitness class yet, I encourage you to join in on the fun and try one this month! You will be amazed at the effect that having a fitness routine has on your health and achieving your goals. 

Bottom Line:
You are strong and can achieve anything you set your mind to! Multitask, make it fun, and before you know it, you will have a daily habit of daily movement.

Deep breathing will help relax you and may provide you with some clarity. Set the timer and focus on the breathing. There are so many deep-breathing exercises and techniques to choose from, so experiment and find one that works best for you. One of the easiest ones is Box Breathing or Four-Square Breathing. Inhale for a count of four seconds. Hold your breath for a count of four. Exhale for a count of four. Hold your breath out for a count of four. Then repeat.

When we feel stressed it can feel like 90 seconds is hard to find for something as simple as breathing. Especially since we breathe automatically without thinking about it, but trust me, if you take control of the breath and focus on it for 90 seconds, you will be amazed at the difference.

Try to find somewhere quiet where you won't be interrupted. Around Christmas time, there was a car commercial showing a mom lingering in her car as this was the place where she found peace (and quiet) from all the chaos of the family and kids inside her home. So maybe we will take a cue from her when we return home from errands or before we go into the store, we will do our deep breathing exercise in the car where it is hopefully quiet. And as always, if the vehicle isn't your jam, try incorporating it into your morning or night routine.

Bottom line:
Sometimes, we only need 90 seconds to reset and take on the rest of the day. Try it, and let me know what you think!