Sometimes the smallest break can completely change your day.
You’re juggling work, family, errands, noise, clutter—and let’s be honest, your own inner voice isn’t always kind. Stress piles up fast. I know the feeling. For years I lived in a fog of distraction and bad habits. I’d try to “relax” by scrolling or binge-watching, but those so-called breaks just made me feel worse in the long run.
What I didn’t realize was that I didn’t need long vacations or spa weekends to feel better. I just needed a few intentional minutes. A few minutes of real me-time.
Let me share a few simple ways you can find those small windows—and why they matter more than you think.
Why Me-Time Matters More Than You Realize
In a world that constantly pulls us in every direction, being alone with your thoughts—on purpose—can feel weird. Almost wrong. But real me-time isn’t selfish or lazy. It’s life-saving.
Think of it like charging your phone. You wouldn’t expect it to keep working if you never plug it in. Same goes for you. Without even short moments to reset, your stress keeps building and burnout sneaks in.
I used to think I had to power through everything. Push harder. Ignore how I felt. But that only led to cycles of burnout and escape—into video games, mindless eating, or staying up too late. None of it helped. Not really.
The turning point for me came when I started giving myself small, meaningful breaks. Not just breaks from work, but time to breathe and reconnect with myself and with God. That’s when things started to change.
1. Start with Just Five Minutes
You don’t need a whole afternoon. Just five focused minutes can calm your mind and bring you clarity.
Here’s how you can use them:
- Sit with no distractions. No phone, no music. Just you and silence.
- Focus on breathing. In through your nose for four counts, out through your mouth for six.
- Say a short prayer or reflect on a verse you love.
- Let your thoughts settle. Don’t judge them. Just notice.
This small pause helped me handle cravings and anxiety better, especially in the early days when I was trying to stop binge eating. I learned that I didn’t need to react to every urge. I could sit with it. Breathe. Pray. And move on.
2. Go for a 10-Minute Walk Without Your Phone
One of the most underrated stress relievers is walking. Especially outside.
When I was struggling with my weight and routine, short daily walks were a game changer. I didn’t treat them like workouts. They were my thinking time. My processing time. My prayer walks.
Leave your phone at home or in your pocket. Let your mind wander. Or talk to God. That alone time with fresh air and movement resets your brain in powerful ways.
Bonus: Regular walking helped me reconnect with myself—no music, no pressure, no distractions. Just a simple walk to let go of tension.
3. Write for a Few Minutes Before Bed
Journaling gets overlooked, but it helped me track my small wins. And when you’re building new habits, those little wins matter so much.
Before bed, I’d write down:
- One thing I did well today (even something small)
- One thing I’m grateful for
- One thing I want to improve tomorrow
Over time, this helped me rebuild trust in myself. I started to see progress I would’ve missed. Even just noticing that I said no to junk food one night or did a short workout made me feel stronger and more capable.
Try it for a week. Keep it casual. No need to write a novel. Just real, honest notes to yourself.
4. Make Morning Quiet Time a Habit
Mornings used to be my most stressful time. I’d wake up late, rush around, skip breakfast, and start the day tense. It set a bad tone for everything.
Once I built a habit of starting the day with 15 minutes of quiet time, everything changed.
Here’s what that looks like for me:
- Wake up a little earlier, before the chaos starts
- Light a candle or open a window. Keep things peaceful.
- Read scripture or a short devotion
- Pray. Ask for strength and wisdom for the day
- Sit in silence for a moment and breathe
This helped me start the day with purpose instead of panic. If you don’t have 15 minutes, try five. A little bit is always better than none.
5. Try “Mini-Sabbaths” Throughout the Week
We’re wired for rest. But rest isn’t just collapsing on the couch with Netflix. Real rest rebuilds.
I’ve learned to create “mini-Sabbaths” during the week. Pockets of intentional quiet and stillness. No screens, no noise, no hustle.
You can try:
- Taking 20 minutes on Sunday to sit outside and reflect
- Stopping work for a true lunch break, not eating in front of your screen
- Turning off your phone for one hour in the evening
- Listening to peaceful music while doing nothing else
These little pauses taught me how to slow down without quitting. That’s important because even when you're building a productive life, you need rest that actually restores you.
It’s Not About Doing More. It’s About Being Still.
I used to pack my schedule, chasing productivity like it would solve everything. But I found more peace and progress in the quiet moments.
When I started doing deep work in short focused sessions—2 to 4 hours max—I had way more energy. I gave more value in less time. And because I wasn’t draining myself all day, I had more to give to my family, my faith, and myself.
Real progress didn’t come from adding more. It came from slowing down and being more intentional.
Start Small: Your First Step Today
Try one of these ideas today. Just one. Set a 5-minute timer. Take a short walk. Journal before bed. Leave your phone in another room.
Small steps lead to big changes. I didn’t lose over 110 pounds in a week. I didn’t overcome gaming or drinking in a day. It started with one good decision at a time. God was my strength through it all. I still lean on Him every morning and every night.
You don’t have to figure it all out today. Just give yourself a few quiet minutes. You matter. Your peace matters.
So here’s your challenge: What’s one small pocket of time you can claim for yourself today?
Go claim it. You’re worth it.
