In today’s busy corporate life when we hardly have any time, even taking 10 minutes out for some self-care can make a real difference. According to Harvard health publishing, 10 minute self-care routine can motivate people to start living healtheir. If you’re looking for self-care ideas that take 10 minutes or less, you’re not alone.
As an engineer in a corporate environment, life can get too overwhelming sometimes. Recently I realized my days were starting to look like a wheel turning on autopilot, and I didn’t realize how time was passing by. I even started noticing small, unexplained aches, which has made me take a step back.
That’s when I realized it’s time for me to focus on self-care and incorporate some habits that I can fit into my busy schedule. In this article I take you through 11 simple self-care ideas that take 10 minutes or less.
My rule is that I don’t need to do it all. But picking even a few of these into my routine has helped me slow down a bit. And it can do the same for you 🙂
These quick self-care routines are especially helpful for busy professionals who don’t have hours to dedicate to wellness but still want to start somewhere
Take a 2 min walk every 20 mins
Self-care doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. Sometimes a simple 2 minute walk can can do a lot more and is the first step to taking care of your health and mind. According to central health london a simple 2 min walk every 20-30 mins can help control appetite, and regulate blood sugar level.
I have started including 2 mins walk every 20 mins into my daily routine. This helps me make sure I get all my steps in and it has also helped me not sit at my desk all day.
I sometimes rely on a pomodoro clock to set a 20-30 min timer for me. Or, I have realised that having a lot of water can do the trick. Your body clock makes you get up almost every hour.
Morning / Evening Skin Care Routine
There are times when I am very diligent with my skincare routine morning and evenings. And, there are times when I want to fall asleep on my sofa or i need to run out the door to reach office early.
But the days I do my skin care routine in the mornings and evenings, I feel calmer, rejuvenated and like I have accomplished something. What I have slowly started realizing is that I don’t need a 10 step skin care routine. Sometimes a simple ‘cleanse’ and ‘moisturize’ is all you need.
Most nights I put on my LED mask (just got one recently) and then follow through on my simple 3 step routine. But the nights I don’t feel like doing anything, I make sure to get the 5 min skincare routine in.
1 Minute Journaling
You must have heard of the 5 min journals. And believe me when I say it, I tried to stay consistent but after a few days, even 5 mins after a looooonnggg work day felt like hours.
I knew that when I did journal it helped me sleep better, but after 8 hours of work and 2 hours of commute, I didn’t want to do anything! Thats when I tried to journal for 1 min, unguided.
Unlike the 5 min journal, this journaling practice is to write whatever comes to your mind for just 1 min. If you want to write more, go ahead. If not, just keep your pen down and leave it at that.
This simple practice has made a huge difference in my wind down for the day. Best of all, its free. Grab a piece of paper, write what you want and just leave it at that.
Grab a book and a hot or cold beverage
As a kid I was always the one who enjoyed reading. But as I have grown older and as life became busier, I realized I has distanced myself from reading. I realised it was one activity that used to make me calmer. So to reconnect with the habit, I have dedicated a few minutes to read 10-15 pages a day at least as a part of my night time routine . It is a good wind down ritual that helps me relax at the end of the day.
According to “A Chapter a Day – Association of Book Reading with Longevity” books encourage deeper cognitive engagement, empathy, and emotional processing. This can also help impact longevity. It can be a very good way of recharging at the end of the day and and can help yourself get the much needed break.
10 minute of morning sun
Watching the morning sun rise can provide with a sense of profound serenity. It is one of my favourite activities each morning and has become a part of my morning habit stack. It has also become a source of motivation for me wake up early in the morning.
According to some studies, the morning sun can help set your circadian rhythms which can help with mood, stress levels and sleep quality.
How do I stack it? Typically, I like going to the gym in the morning. As a part of my morning habit stack I have a protein coffee before heading to the gym. As I sip on my drink, I sit next to the window to get a bit of the morning sun in.
Grab a glass of water
If you are anything like me, you probably forget to drink enough water throughout the day. But, if you think about it hydration is fundamental to self-care. It supports your energy, helps with focus, and can play a role in regulating your mood and overall well-being.
Many studies time and time again have shown that hydration is necessary for proper cognitive function and hormone balance.
For me, the easiest way to remember drinking enough water was to make sure I finish at least 2 bottles a day. I have one bottle at home and one at work, such that I don’t have to carry carry it back and forth every day.
I initially started by setting alarms every 1/2 hr. But now, it has started coming naturally to me and I get thirsty regularly which prompts me to drink water.
Sit in the quiet
A few years ago I did a training on linkedIn learning on time management. One of the videos introduced the idea of the ‘focus-chaos scale’. It is basically where you like on a scale of focus to chaos. That’s when I realized I lean slightly towards the “chaos master” scale. But that also gave me a clarity on what all I need to do on improving focus.
Since then, I have started adopting small practices to help me slow down, regain focus, and manage my attention better. One of the simplest practices has been sitting in silence. Trust me, it was not easy at first. I was so used to either having my phone in my hand or the TV playing in the background that silence felt uncomfortable. But remember the “10 mins of morning” sun I spoke about? I usually try to use the time to take 5-10 mins of silence at the time as well. It gives me a small pocket of stillness before the day begins and helps me feel more grounded.
Take daily joy snacks
According to a 17,000 participant study in 2025, “The big joy project” people who did micro-acts of joy for 5-10 mins daily found that after one week, participants reported higher emotional well-being, more positive emotions, more sense of control over happiness, lower stress, slightly better health, and better sleep.
You can consider one of the activities used in the study:
Take a shower
Do you sometimes wonder why we get the best ideas in the shower? Time magazine highlighted a study that showed that a shower creates the right balance between light engagement and mental freedom.
It is the time when you are doing something familiar and low-effort, so our brain does not need full attention, but you are also not so bored that you reach for your phone. That allows your mind to wander creatively.
Sometimes when I need to think or just rejuvenate, I take a shower. For me at times it is more than my daily routine. It helps me focus, and create a strategy for the day. I also enjoy my post shower rituals of skin-care and makeup.
Call a dear one
Talking to someone who you can talk freely to is the best self-care activity that you can do under 10 mins.
You should be intentional and talk to someone who makes you feel positive and inspired.
Water a plant
I love taking care of my plants. It is a ritual I cherish and brings me joy a few times a week. Watching a new bud or leaf grow and cutting fresh mint from my little window sill pantry, I enjoy the process regularly.
Interestingly, a study in 2023 showed that simple act of watering indoor plants can relax both body and mind. This can help boost quality of life.
So, if you have plants at home, consider this your gentle reminder to water them. Sometimes, self-care can be as simple as tending to something that quietly brings you joy.
To care for yourself you do not need hour long regiments or routines. While they can be nice one in a while, with most of our busy schedules, especially in the corporate world it can be rather difficult.
Sprinkling quick under 10 minute routines throughout the day can do wonders not only for your mental health but also to keep you motivated!
Let me know what activities you will like to incorporate in your daily routines in the comments below!
