do what you love Page 23 of 81

#MakingTime Day 8

Posted on 2014-09-08 at 10:00 am.

“What matters is that we find a way – any way – to recharge and renew ourselves.”– Arianna Huffington in Thrive

Your Day 8 Making Time challenge: For 8 minutes… stretch!

Did you know that stretching is important for people of all ages and that it’s just as important as regular exercise? One of the greatest benefits of stretching is that it boosts self-esteem. When we stretch our bodies release dopamine, a hormone which helps us feel happier and more positive about the world. Other benefits include improved flexibility, strength, coordination and circulation, increased energy levels, reduced neck, shoulder and back pain associated with sitting at a desk, and better sleep.

When stretching it’s good to move smoothly and slowly so you stay in control. You’ll get a deeper stretch this way. Adjusting your position so you’re more comfortable when you stretch is a great way to prevent pain and make the stretch easier. Ask yourself: ‘does my body have the support it needs?’ If not, give it that support. Add tension where it’s required so that other parts of your body can relax and let go.

Today, make time to stretch for 8 minutes. Smile, enjoy and feel good.

For the full prompt, plus a daily time-saving tip and other inspiration into your inbox, sign up for the full Making Time series (a 31-day free challenge to make more time for the things you love). Follow us on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook for more thought-provoking inspiration!

What will make you happy today?

Posted on 2014-09-08 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

#MakingTime Day 7

Posted on 2014-09-07 at 10:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Your Day 7 Making Time challenge: For 7 minutes… go for a walk around the block without your phone

These days we’re plugged in 24/7. Between texts, emails, regular old phone calls, and notifications from Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, keeping up with everyone and everything can feel like a full-time job.

Can you remember the last time you switched off? The last time you went 24 hours, 12 hours, even just a few hours, without checking your phone?

“… Stop a moment, cease your work, look around you.” – Leo Tolstoy

#MakingTime Day 6

Posted on 2014-09-06 at 10:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Your Day 6 Making Time challenge: For 6 minutes… dance like crazy to your favourite music!

Dancing is incredibly good for your soul:

It instantly enhances your mood
It’s a way to escape your mind
You become completely present in your body
And it provides a boost of positive energy

So today’s the day to turn up the tunes and go wild! As the age-old saying goes… ‘Dance like no-one’s watching!’ For six whole minutes let your body move in the silliest ways, invent some new moves or imagine you’re on stage giving the performance of a lifetime! And if your favourite song isn’t six minutes long, use it as an excuse to dance to two tunes. Go with the flow and have fun, laugh at yourself and enjoy it. We promise it will make you feel amazing.

#MakingTime Day 5

Posted on 2014-09-05 at 10:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

There’s nothing like sorting through your post and finding a beautiful postcard hidden amongst your bills. In an age where it’s quicker and easier to email, Instagram, Facebook, text, Skype or Snapchat, we’re on a mission to bring good old snail mail back!

Your Day 5 Making Time challenge: For 5 minutes… write a postcard to someone

A postcard is a quick and easy way to let someone know they are remembered. And unlike a letter, it’s short and sweet! ‘Wish you were here’ or ‘Thinking of you’ or ‘I miss you. Let’s meet up soon…’ are words enough if they’re from the heart. Even a few scribbled words will mean a lot to the person who receives them.

#MakingTime Day 4

Posted on 2014-09-04 at 10:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

As we hurry through our busy lives it can be hard to tune out the noise. Every now and then it’s important to stop and ask yourself: ‘What makes me happy?’ and ‘What do I want to offer the world?’ Sometimes you just need to pause, breathe and listen.

Your Day 4 Making Time challenge: For 4 minutes… Close your eyes and breathe deeply

#MakingTime Day 3

Posted on 2014-09-03 at 10:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

So many magazines, so little time… did you know that in the UK alone more than 2,600 different magazines are printed each year, not to mention online magazines? So why then, when there’s so much choice out there, do we find ourselves picking up our old favourites time and time again? Mostly it’s because our time is precious and we like what we know so it’s easier to stick with it that.

Your Day 3 Making Time challenge: For 3 minutes… read an article in a magazine you don’t normally read

Today’s the day to step out of your comfort zone and read something different. We’re not suggesting you spend hours in the newsagent flipping through every magazine on the shelf (although what a cool way to spend a day!) Rather we challenge you to pick up a magazine that you wouldn’t usually read – your partner’s photography magazine, the regional glossy in the local coffee shop or the interior magazine that’s gathering dust on your friend’s coffee table – and spend three minutes reading any article you like. Better still, open it at random and read that page.

Who knows what you’ll discover, what interesting conversations it could spark and what exciting thoughts and opportunities could come of it?

Time is precious

Posted on 2014-09-03 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

#MakingTime Day 2

Posted on 2014-09-02 at 10:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Your Day 2 Making Time challenge: For 2 minutes… write a haiku

Forget boring work emails, today we challenge you to write creatively… bring on the two-minute haiku challenge!

The haiku is a simple and powerful form of Japanese poetry that captures a single image or a moment in time. It’s always written over three lines and the structure is based on syllables: there are five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third. Here’s an example by haiku master Matsuo Basho:

An old silent pond…

A frog jumps into the pond,

splash! Silence again.

#MakingTime Day 1

Posted on 2014-09-01 at 3:19 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

Your Day 1 Making Time challenge: For 1 minute… listen to the sound of water

Ocean waves, babbling brooks, freshwater streams and trickling fountains… there’s nothing as soothing as the sound of water. Water is essential to life. It symbolises purity, clarity and calm, and hearing it flow freely in its natural surroundings can be incredibly cleansing. As well relaxing our mind, on a subconscious level flowing water speaks to our soul and reminds us of our very existence. It’s a great form of meditation.