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40 Ways To Improve Life In Just 10 Minutes

Shannon June 22, 2021

Ten minutes can go by in the blink of an eye. It’s hard to imagine that we could get anything major accomplished in such a short amount of time, but you truly can. Here are 40 different things you can do in just ten minutes that will improve your life.

Taking a nap is good for your health. Credit: Shutterstock

40. Take a Nap

Preschoolers get nap time every single day, so why can’t you? Instead of having coffee or an energy drink, try to take an afternoon nap, instead. Even just ten minutes of resting and removing yourself from all other stimulation dramatically helps your mental clarity, mood, and energy levels.

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It is important to know your credit score. Credit: Shutterstock

39. Check Your Credit Score

Create a Credit Sesame account to check on your score for free. You might be pleasantly surprised and discover an “excellent” score, which qualifies you for low interest loans and a mortgage. If it’s not as high as you would like, that’s okay, too. This is still taking a step to improving your life, once you know your goals. Credit Sesame gives tailor-made advice to what you should do to boost your score, and it will email you whenever your score changes.

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Laugh as often as you can. Credit: Shutterstock

38. Laugh

There is a saying that “laughter is the best medicine”, and it’s true! Laughter decreases your stress hormones, and even boosts your immune system. If you are having a rough day, find some videos on YouTube of your favorite comedian, or scene from a TV show.

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Learning a new language can be quick and easy. Credit: Shutterstock

37. Learn a New Language

When you think about learning a new language, it seems like this very time-consuming process, but it’s actually possible to learn a little bit every day. Duolingo is an app where you can spend just 10 minutes taking quizzes, and Coffee Break Languages have podcast episodes. These are usually 20 minutes long, but they are repetitive to make sure the words stick, so you could break them up into 10 minute segments. They also have a YouTube channel with 2-5 minute videos.

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Breaking up your time helps with productivity. Credit: Shutterstock

36. Use the Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a method to help boost your productivity with work or school. This can also help people with ADD and ADHD, if they have trouble concentrating. The method suggests making a list of tasks that need to get done, and setting a timer for 25-30 minutes. Working during that time without interruption, and then taking a 5-10 minute break. These small 10 minute breaks can be used to go to the bathroom, grab a cup of water, check Instagram- whatever you want without any guilt for “procrastinating”. Once you are done your ten minute break, get back to work for another 25-30 minutes, and repeat that process.

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Writing in a journal can help you to openly express your hopes and fears. Credit: Shutterstock

35. Journal Writing

Writing in a journal is like free therapy. You can vent all of your frustrations without fear of making anyone upset. You can also share your hopes and dreams without judgement. Even if you are only journaling for ten minutes a day, you will begin to see a dramatic improvement on your mental health.

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It is possible to learn something new every day in just 10 minutes. Credit: Shutterstock

34. Learn Something New

Just because you graduated from school doesn’t mean you should stop learning. In fact, lifelong learners tend to be more successful. YouTube channels like TopTenz, Mental Floss, and TodayIFoundOut give free educational content, and the videos are only 10 to 15 minutes long.

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Getting out in nature can help clear your mind. Credit: Shutterstock

33. Take a Walk in the Park

If you live in a city, finding a park with some trees and greenery may be difficult. But if you have the opportunity to get surrounded by nature, please do- if only for ten minutes. Walking through nature has a calming effect, and it helps to clear your head. It also helps to put things in perspective.

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Expressing gratitude is beneficial for yourself and everyone around you. Credit: Shutterstock

32. Write a List of Gratitude

In today’s world of social media, it’s very easy to compare ourselves to others, and wish that we had more. But the key to happiness is to have gratitude for the things we already have. Start writing down all of the things you are thankful for. It may even be as simple as; “I am grateful that I have a roof over my head”, and keep going for ten minutes. By the end of the list, you should start to have warm fuzzy feelings about your life.

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It’s okay to take your time reading a book. Credit: Shutterstock

31. Read One Chapter of a Book

There are lots of people out there who make it a New Year’s Resolution to read more, and yet their busy lives continue to get in the way. If you only have ten minutes a day to read, commit to reading to just one chapter of a book. It may take you a few weeks to finish, but at least you are accomplishing your goal of getting through a book.

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Messy desks, like this, are guaranteed to prevent you from being productive. Credit: Shutterstock

30. Organize Your Desk

Whether you are conscious of it or not, a messy desk distracts you from being productive. Even if you claim to enjoy a bit of a mess, your eye is always glancing down at the clutter. This takes away from whatever you are trying to concentrate on. Ten minutes is not enough time to clean your house, but it should be just enough to clean your desk, and improve your work life.

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Stretching helps improve flexibility and prevent pain. Credit: Shutterstock

29. Stretch

You may not be able to complete a yoga class in 10 minutes, but simply stretching can help loosen you up, especially during the work day. Making stretching a regular habit will help prevent pain and cramping. It will also help promote flexibility.

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Meditation can help decrease your stress levels. Credit: Shutterstock

28. Meditate

For those who practice mindfulness and meditation, they swear that it dramatically decreases their level of stress and anxiety. If you have never meditated before, search for 10-minute guided meditations on YouTube. Put your headphones in, and find a quiet place to relax. You would be surprised how great you feel when it’s done.

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Remember to eat your veggies. Credit: Shutterstock

27. Eat Something Healthy

Your mood has a lot to do with what you are eating. If you know that you are not eating enough fruits and vegetables, make an effort to incorporate it into your daily routine. This should only take a few minutes- whether it’s buying a green juice smoothie, or preparing a side salad with your dinner.

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Instead of fishing for compliments, give them to others. Credit: Shutterstock

26. Compliment Others

A lot of people are seeking praise and recognition, but they don’t think about giving it to other people. Try to think about your friends and co-workers. When was the last time that you acknowledged that they were doing a good job? Once you get in the habit of doing this, people will also like you a lot more, and return the favor, too.

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A glass of wine can be good for your health. Credit: Shutterstock

25. Have a Glass of Wine

There are health benefits to having one glass of wine a day. It lowers cholesterol, has antioxidants, reduces stress, and prevents heart disease. Just remember to drink in moderation.

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Give your dog some love and attention. Credit: Shutterstock

24. Play With Your Pets

After the end of a long day, take at least ten minutes to play with your dog or cat. This is a great way to reduce stress, and improve on the bond you have with your pet.

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Taking a coffee break with friends can really lift your spirits. Credit: Shutterstock

23. Take a Coffee Break

Plenty of people take coffee breaks at work, but it’s so much more fun with a friend. Try to plan a coffee break group, even if you only have ten minutes to sip and chat in the break room. Or, ask a friend or co-worker to go to Starbucks so that you can get to know each other better one-on-one.

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Watching the sunrise is an amazing experience. Credit: Shutterstock

22. Wake Up At Sunrise

If you have never woken up at sunrise, you are seriously missing out. Even if you do not have to get up that early for work or school, try setting your alarm to watch the sunrise, especially if you’re in a beautiful location. If you make this apart of your daily routine, you will also appreciate the beauty of the world much more.

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By tracking your spending, you know exactly where every dollar is going. Credit: Shutterstock

21. Track Your Spending

A shocking number of people do not keep track of their spending habits, because paying for something is as easy as swiping a card. It only takes a few minutes every day to check your purchases with online banking. This will help prevent you from accidentally over-drafting or maxing out your cards.

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It’s okay to give yourself a treat sometimes.Credit: Shutterstock

20. Treat Yourself

If you are watching your weight, it can be difficult to justify eating snacks. But try to take a few minutes a day to treat yourself to something delicious, even if it’s a very healthy version of your favorite snack. Just remember not to go overboard!

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Your mom will probably appreciate a call. Credit: Shutterstock

19. Seek Support From Friends and Family

No one is an island, and we all need some support from our loved ones. If you find yourself feeling lonely or overwhelmed, make it a habit to call your parents, siblings, or friends, if only for ten minutes at a time.

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How well do you know yourself? Credit: Shutterstock

18. Get To Know Yourself

Are you an introvert, or an extrovert? Do you have a genius IQ? What’s your learning style? The Muse has a list of 14 personality tests you can take online for free to get to know yourself just a little bit better.

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How emotionally intelligent are you? Credit: Shutterstock

17. Test Your Emotional Intelligence

How well can you read another person’s emotions? And how in tune are you with your own feelings? If you’re curious to know, ARealMe offers a free emotional intelligence test, and it can be done in just 10 minutes.

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All you need to expand your vocabulary is a dictionary. Credit: Shutterstock

16. Expand Your Vocabulary

When you were in school, you probably had to take vocabulary quizzes. If you find yourself puzzled over big words your friends and co-workers are using, you might want to take 10 minutes a day to expand your vocabulary. You can use an old school dictionary, or one of these 7 apps on your smartphone.

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Sometimes, your brain needs a break. Credit: Shutterstock

15. Do Absolutely Nothing

If you have to commute on a bus or train every day, you may already experience a lot of “nothing” by staring out the window. If your brains is constantly stimulated from the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep, it’s not very good for you. Try to put your phone away and take at least ten minutes to do absolutely nothing.

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Smiling makes you feel better. Credit: Shutterstock

14. Smile

It is scientifically proven that smiling puts your in a better mood, even if you force it. By moving your facial muscles into a smile, your body sends endorphins and feel-good hormones to your brain, which makes you happier. So, next time you feel depressed and like it is impossible to brighten your day, force yourself to smile. Even if you feel silly about it, chances are, you actually will feel better.

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Certain smartphone apps can make you depressed. Credit: Shutterstock

13. Delete Toxic Apps

A lot of people feel depressed and anxious after looking at Facebook or Instagram. If this is the case for you, try to delete those apps from your phone, if only to take a short term break. Also take some time to delete apps you no longer use, because your smartphone will run faster.

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Remember to let your co-workers and friends know when you appreciate them the most. Credit: Shutterstock

12. Show Your Appreciation

It may sound like common manners, but remember to say “thank you” to the people in your life. It is important to tell the people that you appreciate them. Maybe you think it all the time, or you try to express it in other ways, but people love hearing it spoken out loud. They are also likely to reciprocate their appreciation of you, too. As an added bonus, this makes it easier to bring up any issues when they might arise, because the other person will understand that their positive attributes are appreciated, but it’s just this one problem that needs improving.

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It is easy to make new friends in a large group. Credit: Shutterstock

11. Make a New Friend

Sometimes, making a new friend only takes ten minutes of making an effort. Do you know every single people who works for your company? What about the people in your existing friend group? Take just a few minutes to get to know someone new, and it just may blossom into a new friendship.

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Face masks only take a few minutes. Credit: Shutterstock

10. Pamper Yourself

Certain types of self care, like taking a bath, might last an hour. But there are plenty of things you can add into your routine that only take ten minutes. Face masks, painting your nails, or any other extra step will be worth that extra ten minutes if it helps you feel more confident in your appearance.

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Try to make small changes to your life. Credit: Shutterstock

9. Mix Things Up

If you feel like your life is boring and repetitive, start making small changes to mix things up. Maybe it’s taking a different way to work, or eating something different for lunch. Try to be adventurous, even if it’s the most mundane thing.

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Making to-do lists can help you stay on track. Credit: Shutterstock

8. Plan Your To-Do List For the Week

Are you the type of person who forgets to do something important, or pushes things off until the last minute? It may sound old school, but your problems may be solved by making a list on paper. This is better than keeping a digital list, because you get to physically take a pencil and draw a big fat line through an item on your list when it’s done. This gives you a feeling of satisfaction, and motivates you to get other things done, too.

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Meal plans are great for financial budgets, as well as diets. Credit: Shutterstock

7. Make a Meal Plan

If you are trying to budget your money or be on a diet, it is essential to make a meal plan. This will also help you figure out what to buy at the grocery store. If you have a solid plan, you will stop yourself from buying food that will expire.

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Picking out your clothes helps cut down time in the morning. Credit: Shutterstock

6. Pick Tomorrow’s Clothes

When you wake up in the morning, your mind is groggy, and you might struggle to figure out what to wear. Then, when you get to work, you might realize that you should have picked something different, because of the weather. This whole process can be eliminated by taken ten minutes out of your evening to check tomorrow’s weather, and pick out an outfit when your mind it still alert.

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Plan out your morning routines. Credit: Shutterstock

5. Prep Your Morning and Bedtime Routines

If you have the same morning and bedtime routine every single day, it makes things much faster and easier. This is especially true if you have kids. They know what to expect, and they will be far less fussy when it’s time to get ready or go to sleep.

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TED talks are inspirational and educational. Credit: Shutterstock

4. Watch a TED Talk

TED Talks are lectures given by experts in their field. You can find one in almost every subject. Nearly every single TED talk will leave you feeling inspired and motivated to make positive changes in your life. They range between 10 and 20 minutes each.

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Set your alarm for the same time every day. Credit: Shutterstock

3. Set Consistent Morning Alarms

If you wake up at the same time every day, it helps to manage your internal clock. By training your body to wake up the same time every day, it will become easier to wake up in the morning, instead of struggling.

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Remember to drink your water. Credit: Shutterstock

2. Drink Water

Most doctors will tell you that you need to drink 8 glasses of water every day for a healthy body. Drinking water helps to hydrate your body. It improves the look of your skin, keeps you young, and gives you more energy. It also aids in digestion, and helps to keep you full when you are watching your weight.

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Get rid of your junk mail in just ten minutes. Credit: Shutterstock

1. Unsubscribe from Junk e-mail

Are you annoyed by the endless stream of junk mail coming into your inbox? Most retail chains ask for your e-mail when you buy something online, or force you to join a mailing list before you have access to a website. It actually only takes a few minutes to go through your inbox and unsubscribe from the e-mails you do not want.

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