5 Me Time Moments In 5 Minutes- FREE Adult Coloring Printable

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #OREOThinSide #CollectiveBias

Momma Told Me: All work and no play....

This year's been a pretty crazy one for me. In between the multiple trips to visit, or provide care for, family, I've also taken on an unexpected move. And by unexpected I mean I was literally notified the house we'd been hoping to land came available overnight and was ready to move within days, where we'd previously spoken about timelines closer to mid 2017. All this on top of juggling the hustle and bustle of imminent holidays. Let's just say I don't know if we'll be enjoying our turkey dinner on chair cushions on the floor at our old condo, or a dining table surrounded by moving boxes at the house. Yes, my days lately aren't short of things to do and ways to consume time.

Move or no move, we all feel the stress of the season during this time of the year, which provides just added stress and struggle on top of everyday challenges like juggling a family and a job, writing a meal plan with dietary restrictions, or taking on a leadership position at ones' volunteer gig. So I've taken a few minutes to zen out (because blogging is one of my ways to unwind) and share with you my favorite 5 Minute Me Time Moment break ideas.

1. Add a little atmosphere- The first thing I do when I start to feel a little overwhelmed is close my eyes and take a deep breath. I let all of the senses I might not have been focusing on right then take over. Since this usually involves scent and sound, I'll typically light a candle or incense, and even turn on a familiar melody. By engaging parts of your brain currently dormant, you can help switch off the parts which are being overwhelmed and provide some valuable moments to recharge. It's the simplest form of meditation and it only requires shifting your senses from one focus to another. Of course, aromatherapy may also provide key benefits to recharge if you choose your scents meticulously.

2. Engage in a little furriendly therapy- My favorite way to recharge at home is free, always available, and provides an immediate lift whether I have 2 minutes or 20. The same furry faces that greet you with excitement when you first get home after a long day will be just as enthusiastic for your affection when you pause to take time out to acknowledge them during your daily tasks. Whether it's a 5 minute walk around the block with the dog, some affectionate cat scratches with the cat, or a full blown fetch session in the backyard, pets provide an instant endorphin lift.

3. Just drop everything- It may sound like the beckoning of an apocalyptic doom, but (in most cases) you really can just drop it all for 5 minutes and the world won't burst into flames around you. A lot of the time we self impose stress upon ourselves by setting unreasonable goals, or simply feeding a drive to accomplish something. Your achievement will be just as worthwhile should it take you 5 more minutes to complete, and you're actually likely to be more productive after a quick break than if you'd just powered through. Of course, if you're like me, you'll be tempted to tinker and spend your 'me time' doing other things that may feel productive, but aren't quite considered a break. Make sure you remove yourself from these temptations by heading to a quiet room, or even outside for your break.

4. Reward Yourself- If you find it hard to just sit still and unwind grabbing a snack or treat can help fill your break time with positive vibes and delicious reflections. I recently discovered NEW Lemon OREO Thins at my local Ralphs and my 5 minute breaks because a lot more delicious. For those who still haven't experienced these thinner, crispier, OREO cookies, with the perfect cream to cookie ratio- you simply must pick up a package. There are now 5 varieties to choose from, Original, Golden, Mint, and NEW Chocolate and NEW Lemon filled OREO Thins. Just a few of these crispy sandwich cookies put an instant smile on my face.

5. Let your creative juices flow- It may seem contradictory to throw so much of yourself into something while seeking respite from a strenuous task but, again, engaging a different side of your brain can instantly help refresh and recharge. Naturally what one person finds creatively freeing might be different for another, but many agree that the trend of modern adult coloring is universally appealing. Whether you enjoy being meticulous in planning your color placement and the zen of coloring inside the lines, or you thrive on the anarchy of wild color combinations and the prospect of a purple kitten, taking just 5 minutes to sit down and focus your creative energies can truly recharge in the most hectic of times.

So there you have it, my favorite 5 Minute Me Time Moment ideas. You may be tempted to do some of them at the same time (I know the allure of a golden OREO cookie with a perfect crisp crunch gets me every time) but you really should try to practice these ideas on their own. After all, it's only 5 minutes- when you start to add multiple breaks in you really only end up overwhelming your time, and it hardly becomes a break at all. That is, unless you commit to a 20 or 30 minute break- and I'm all for that. Too bad the real world doesn't pencil more of those in, right?

If you're inspired by my suggestions, and want to see what some other really awesome people have to say about how to unwind this holiday season (or any time, really) then you simply must check out this Social Hub for some 'Thinspiration'- and make sure to pick up some OREO Thins at your local Ralphs too. They're the perfect pairing for our FREE Printable Adult Coloring Page above, too! Now, tell me, what's your favorite way to unwind and take a few minutes of me time when the world gets crazy around you?


What Daughter Says: You're only at your best until you're not- taking 5 minutes out to recharge doesn't make you less efficient, it makes you more effective.