When was the last time you did a well-being activity you loved?
If you say there’s never time, remember that focusing on wellness doesn’t have to be an all-day event. In fact, it can be done in spurts as short as 10 minutes!
Both physical and mental well-being matter and there are short and simple activities for both that can make you feel your best.
This post offers a variety of ways for adults to bring more well-being moments into their lives. Whether it’s picking up a jump rope, coloring, taking a walk with a neighbor or colleague, or just stretching — these ideas are easy for anyone to do any day of the week!
Fun Well-Being Activities for Adults of All Ages
When is a good time for a well-being activity? Any time you feel bored, overwhelmed, or stressed, breaking away for just a few minutes can do wonders for your mental and physical health.
Here’s a look at some ways to bring more joyful well-being ideas into your life:
1. Enjoy Your Favorite Beverage
Before the day starts — or maybe even before you go to bed — take 10 minutes to enjoy your favorite beverage. That may be a cup of coffee or hot tea. Perhaps it’s sparkling water or kombucha. Whatever your favorite drink is, savor it in silence. This is a great practice in using your sense of taste and smell to live in the moment and be present. Try doing it without scrolling on your phone and see what a difference it makes in restoring some mental peace.
2. Read Affirmation Cards
Positive affirmations are a great way to remind yourself that you are worthy of a good life and great things happening to you. Research shows positive affirmations can change thought patterns and influence different behavioral changes to make your life better.
Related: Affirmations and Mental Health: Does Positive Talk Help Well-Being?
3. Stretch
When your muscles are feeling tight and achy, stretching is a great way to alleviate tension. A good stretch session can get your blood flowing and increase your energy levels.
Related: Stretching Benefits: Why Stretching Should Be A Part of Your Life
4. Jump Rope
Feeling some nervous energy or like you need to get a workout in? Jump roping is an amazing cardio activity that doesn’t need to last longer than 10 minutes for you to break a sweat! You can do this solo or even alongside your kids to stay motivated to stick it out for the full 10 minutes.
5. Read
You don’t need to read a whole book in one sitting to reap the benefits of reading. Check out your favorite blog, pick up a magazine you love, or simply read a chapter or two of a book. Reading can improve your sleep and concentration, too!
6. Color
Need to relax after a long day of work? Try coloring. Grab a coloring book and some colored pencils and get to it. It relaxes the mind and can improve sleep, lower your heart rate and even reduce feelings of anxiety, according to Mayo Clinic.
7. Take a Walk With a Friend
Work on your health and friendships by taking a walk with a friend or colleague. Walking is a great well-being activity as it improves blood flow and elevates your mood and clears your mind. As you walk, use your five senses to take in your whole environment and enjoy the experience fully.
8. Write Positive Messages
Make one of your well-being activities focused on others. Consider getting chalk or sidewalk paint and writing positive messages or affirmations for someone else to enjoy. Simple phrases like “Smile” or “Have a nice day!” can go a long way in making someone’s day.
9. Listen to a Podcast
There are seemingly millions of podcasts out there to listen to these days. Consider picking a few short ones to listen to while you go out and stroll your neighborhood. You may learn something new and get exercise while you’re at it — win-win!
10. Note Three Things
The simple act of gratitude can boost your mood for the rest of the day by giving you a positive outlook. Consider writing down three things you’re grateful for in the morning or evening. Reflect on them and why you’re glad you experienced them or have them.
11. Organize an Area of Your House
When you can clear away physical clutter, it works to clear mental clutter, too. Research from Utah State University indicates that decluttering your home and getting it organized can boost your mood, relieve anxiety, and even improve your focus.
Related: Cut the Clutter: The Benefits of Minimalism Employees Will Love
12. Work on a Puzzle
Jigsaw puzzles are a great activity to do solo, with a partner, or with the whole family. Plus, they don’t have to be done in one sitting. Additionally, working on puzzles is known to offer health benefits like improving short-term memory and boosting problem-solving skills.
13. Make Aromatherapy Dough
Want to uplift your mood and feel a bit like a kid again? Then this DIY aromatherapy well-being activity is for you. It will engage the senses and give you a fun activity that’s perfect for boring evenings or slow weekends. Here’s a recipe to try.
Try These Quick Well-Being Activities at Work
Love the ideas above? They’re perfect for individuals, but what about the whole office? Below, we share some simple well-being activities at work worth trying:
- Have a stretch session - If your workers sit most of the day, set a time at the top of every hour for everyone to stand and stretch. If you have the area for it, gather everyone together for 10 minutes of stretching.
- Host a DIY trail mix bar - Everyone needs a good refuel in the afternoon. Consider putting together a DIY trail mix bar. Put out mixings like various nuts, toasted coconut, dried fruit, and little baggies or cups for workers to create their own trail mix. Note: This only works if no one in your office is severely allergic to nuts, so be sure to clear that beforehand!
- Do “Doga” - If you have a pet policy that allows pets in the office, consider a break for some “doga” — yep, that’s dog yoga time! Have your employees bring their dogs in to stretch next to them during a yoga session. Not only does it allow your employees to stretch, but it’s also bound to offer some opportunities for laughs.
- Try a plank challenge - Keep a friendly daily competition going with a plank challenge at 3 p.m. every day. See who can hold it for the longest and award prizes at the end of the month. Planks are excellent core workouts!
Round up ideas from your employees for wellness ideas they’d like to try at work. The idea is to keep them short and sweet — long enough to be enjoyable for break time but short enough that they don’t take the whole day. You’re bound to see employees who have a bit more spring to their step after a mini wellness break if you try the ideas above!
What fun well-being activities does your company do? Share in the comments below!
