5 Minute Escapes

5 Minute Escapes

(It’s another day on ‘the grind’. It’s time to get the kids off to school, get ready for work, and fight traffic. Only to spend the duration of your day absorbed in getting ahead or to wherever you aim to be, as quickly as possible; and ending your evening by collapsing in bed, exhausted.)

What made my wheels begin to turn about this concept of filtering 5 Minute Escapes into my daily routine is being asked regularly, “Do you ever stop? What do you do for fun? When is the last time you just, slowed down? It was my response to these questions that is really the foundation for this article, with the questions being the fundamental elements or driving force behind the concept.

 My response to these questions went something like this; first, I’d look up to the sky, processing…processing…processing… “Yah, I got nothin”, I’d say. No, really; I actually just go to bed. I crash, right along with 95% of the rest of America after yet another day in our life.

The older I get (I say through a clenched jaw), the more I realize; when there is a familiar pattern flowing through your life, the universe is screaming something at you. And, currently it is screaming, Child, you need a moment, take 5! I often find myself spacing out, my mind taking that moment all by itself to vacation in…Wait, where was I?

Sometimes, your mind declares itself independent of you, venturing off to places unknown, until it decides to scamper back; whilst You have to deal with explaining to your boss and coworkers why you were staring at the “Are you choking,” poster for so long,  just now.

If you don’t take 5, your body will find ways to do so. I’d recommend, taking  a few moments to yourself daily, voluntarily… Just sayin’.

       Listed below are some easy and relaxing ways to make the most of your, 5 minutes. Enjoy!

                                                      5 Minute Escapes

Tip 1.

Coffee- Make a pot of coffee. My favorite brands are, Chock Full O'Nuts and Café Bustello. They are full bodied, medium to dark roast coffees with a smooth, nutty flavor. Just smelling the coffee as it is brewing is worth a moment of your time, to just stop... Close your eyes; and ahhh. Let's just call it, Javaromatherapy.   Did you feel that? That is what you call, A Moment…                                

    The truth about coffee: 

o   It takes four-thousand beans to produce one pound of coffee. (So, be grateful and revel in every sip of deliciousness in your cup.)

o   The name- “Coffee”, comes from the Arabic word, Qahwah, meaning-Wine.

o   Two to three cups a day may lower the incidence of Parkinson’s disease (according to Nurses’ Health Study data)

My opinion:    Drink up!

Tip 2.

Get out that bubble bath and the radio. Draw a bath, of course with extra bubbles. Tune the radio to a relaxing station, light some candles or incense, and just relax! Don't clean, just soak your troubles away. Then wash your body with freshly scented body soap.

Here are the medicinal benefits of taking a steaming hot bath or shower. Keep reading!!!

o   Steaming one’s self dates back to ancient Rome. It was consider a means of socializing.

o   Greek physician, Hippocrates, discovered that steam helped to destroy many harmful diseases in that it elevated the body temperature, which in turn makes the body believe it is running fever and therefore acts accordingly.

o   There are the more common benefits, steam clears sinuses, acne, relieves aches and pains, eases tension and stress

o   Best of all, it helps you to sleep better!

My opinion: We all could use more of that! I say, Full Steam ahead-

Tip 3.

Apply a facial mask. If you don't have one, make one (1/2 mashed up banana with 2 tbs. honey. Leave on for 10-20 minutes.) Then rinse. While you're waiting, read a good magazine or watch TV. Pretend Honey, pretend that you are in a luxurious spa. A big fluffy robe helps place you there.

o   Bananas are full of vital nutrients for bodies, but these sweet tropical fruits also benefit the skin when applied in a facial mask. Bananas are high in Vitamin C, A, B6 and B12, plus they contain potassium and magnesium. The fruit acids in bananas help slough off dead skin and energize the complexion. Add banana to any other homemade facial recipe, as well.

My opinion: Enough Said! (And it’s yummy)

Tip 4.

Meditation: Try meditating, or resting quietly with the goal of completely clearing your mind.   You will inevitably start to think about something, just notice that, acknowledge it, and gently bring yourself back to a silent mind. Whatever you were thinking of will still be there when you leave this state, but putting it down for a moment, 5 minutes, or an hour, will re-energize your mind and help you to deal with any task.

o   Eases stress

o   Great for lowering your heart rate and blood pressure

o   Helps to enable a more rational calm thought process

My opinion: I can see clearly now the rain is gone!

MEDITATE for your sanity, if for nothing else.

Tip 5.

Yoga: Some simple stretching of the body can do wonders to relax muscle tension as well as mental tension.

o   After everything you should drink 2 cups of water, which will keep you feeling refresh.

My opinion: Yoga is phenomenal. I stretch sometimes during THAT Time, and my cramps go away, my headaches go away. Tried and true, check out YogaDude on youtube. He has some moves!

I’m outta here everyone!

I hope you find these 5 minute Escapes useful! It is so important in this day and age to take a few moments to breathe, to look around and remind yourself of the beauty and blessings that are everywhere. You are worth it.

SUSAN M. CONWAY