Personal growth sessions can come in various sizes. Some people prefer to set large chunks of personal time to study, reflect, and grow. However, not everyone has the luxury of time. If you work, take care of the kids, and keep a clean and tidy home, time can get away from you. However, there are always small sections of idle minutes you can use, such as a break at work. From practicing daily gratitude to decluttering, here are a few ways you can use those minutes.
Boot Up a Quick and Easy App
With a smartphone always available and a never-ending world of apps to choose from, you can fit in some time when traveling, commuting, or just killing time at home. From a quick game of Sudoku to firing up an advanced English learning app, there’s no real limit to what you can do in ten minutes! Many modern apps today are designed around accessibility and making the most of time. So why not use your spare time, such as on your break, to engage your brain a little?
Use Personal Growth Sessions for Daily Gratitude
A recent McKinsey report found that 85% of people consider health and wellness important. There are many methods for complete wellness, and one of the most overlooked is gratitude. With daily gratitude, you can use your time well for mindful reflection about your life and self:
- Some people find it easier to keep a gratitude journal to externalize inner thoughts.
- You can also make someone’s day by verbally thanking them when you have the time.
- Meditation can also make things clearer when you need to express your gratitude.
Meditation and Deep Breathing
Getting away from the hustle and bustle of work and family life can be just what you need. Even if it is for a few minutes, something like guided meditation and deep breathing can help you reset, recharge, and refocus. The beauty of these techniques is that you don’t need much time, making them perfect for small sessions. Learning them can be hard for newcomers, though. It is recommended that you use an app such as Headspace for expertly created guided sessions.
Turn a Few Pages of a New Book
Reading is one of the most beloved pastimes today. Whether you enjoy the dusty smell of a worn-out classic or the dim glow of a digital copy of a treasured comic book, reading can help pass the time in a meaningful way. People who read often typically have a greater understanding of words, a broader vocabulary, and improved focus. Of course, it’s easy to read pretty much anywhere, and you can take an entire library on the bus with you with eReader apps.
Exercise During Personal Growth Sessions
You don’t need to spend hours in the gym to benefit from exercise. Just 15minutes per day or moderate intensity movement is enough to lose weight, and cut the risk of severe issues like heart disease. You can stay active at any age with short sessions when you have some time.
Exercise on your break
Many people use their break times for personal growth opportunities. You can cram in some light exercise during this time, including counter push-ups and taking a walk around the area.
Taking the stairs
Unless you have knee issues, taking the stairs can be an excellent way to use your spare time for exercise. You will use more muscles climbing up and will massively increase your step count.
Desk exercises
Maybe you have a few extra minutes at your desk, but not enough to get up and walk around. There are some desk exercises you can try, such as shoulder rolls and infamous butt clenches!
Fitting exercise into a busy day can be a challenge in itself. However, there are usually some chances that present themselves as you go about your day at work. For example, you can use break time for light exercise, take the stairs when possible, and even complete desk exercises.
How About an Educational Podcast?
Reading isn’t for everyone, and some even find it disorienting, such as people with dyslexia. However, a podcast or audiobook can be just as engaging, and many, such as the popular true crime genre, are designed for short-form consumption. With so much selection, there’s something for everyone, from cooking to video games. This makes them perfect for commuting, where you can be entertained as you travel to work instead of becoming annoyed by children!
List and Review Some of Your Goals
Setting aside time for personal goals is a highly recommended activity by most successful people, career advisors, and psychologists alike. It’s helpful to have goals to work towards, especially larger life goals. Of course, these take time. So what can you do? Most experts agree that breaking down larger goals into smaller ones is a pretty powerful way to achieve them. You can use some spare time each day or week to go over your goals and track your progress.
Personal Growth Sessions for Your Space
The immediate environment, such as your work desk or home, plays a vital role in wellness and health. It is estimated that 90% of homes have clutter of some kind, but it can get in the way. A clean space leads to a clean mind, and that can do wonders for how you feel in general:
- Given that you have limited time, it is best to focus on one small space at a time.
- Set a timer so you don’t spend all of your time decluttering, especially at work.
- Focus on removing items you don’t need first, and let go of the “just in case” thinking.
Connect with People You Love
Most people would agree that happiness comes from having people around you that you love and respect, and get the same from. Keeping social connections with friends and family is vital for personal growth, mental health, and even career success. To nurture these relationships, all it takes is a regular check-in and a visit now and then. When you have some spare time, such as a work break, you can make someone’s day and strengthen a relationship with a call or text.
Summary
Using apps such as language platforms, puzzles, and even video games will help you make better use of idle minutes and can turn them into personal growth sessions. Of course, you can also get in some light exercise at these times, and make someone’s day with a quick call.
