Usually five minutes flies by unnoticed. But if we think about it, how many times a day or a week do
we stand at the coffee pot or microwave, or zone out in front of the television for five or even 30
minutes just wasting time and potential? There are hundreds of things we can do instead that will make
us feel great or that start to reign in all of the little things that need to be done. Here’s a starter list of
110 things that can be done, or at least begun, in just five minutes:
1. Read one or two articles in a magazine or online
2. Sort your sock drawer, tossing ones with holes and setting aside the singles
3. Delete junk emails, spam, or anything else that’s overflowing your inbox
4. Search for a list of in-season produce for your area online
5. Delete bookmarks you no longer want from your internet browser
6. Take out the garbage and recycling before they overflow
7. Have a snack without the guilt
8. Review your calendar for the week
9. Floss your teeth really well
10. Apply sunscreen if you’re going outside
11. Delete things from your Netflix (or other) account
12. Answer some emails, see how many you can get done
13. Color in an adult coloring book
14. Check your online bank balance for problems
15. Look at YouTube for a meditation or deep breathing video
16. Write a list of things you want to change about a specific room
17. Put a random word into Google search bar and click “I’m Feeling Lucky”
18. Buy movie tickets online
19. Give your pet(s) extra attention
20. Make a list of things that bring you joy so you can try to bring them into your life more often
21. Listen to a favorite song or two
22. Write a love note
23. Memorize an important phone number
24. Paint your fingernails or toenails, or try a new makeup trick
25. Clean out the bathroom cupboard of things you never use
26. Text an old friend or your kids
27. Make a list of things that annoy you and brainstorm solutions
28. Sort emails into folders, only keeping ones you need
29. Clean the mirrors around your house
30. Test your pens and markers for any that are out of ink
31. Sew a button back on something
32. Chop veggies for later, or plan your next big meal
33. Toss out old stuff from the refrigerator
34. Make a meal plan for next week
35. Photoshop pictures just for fun
36. Check your dreaded voicemail
37. Paint your dog’s toenails (okay, you might need extra time here)
38. Search for a new recipe
39. Write a journal entry
40. Sort your linen closet
41. Read a few pages in a book or on your kindle
42. Sort your pile of mail
43. Start a crossword puzzle or Sudoku
44. Rewrite your to-do list
45. Tidy one drawer
46. Dust around your television
47. Stand outside and do nothing but breathe
48. Clip your dog’s toenails
49. Learn how to make something with origami
50. Delete apps you never use
51. Research the benefits of laughing
52. Write a card or note to someone
53. Make a list of five things you’re grateful for
54. Clean the coffee carafe
55. Wash the inside of your car windows
56. Make your bed
57. Write a list of goals for a short time-period like a week or a month
58. Then write a bucket list or revise the one you have
59. Go through pics on your phone
60. Start a new “donate” box or fill up the one you have
61. Dust something you hate dusting
62. Try drawing something
63. Snuggle with a family member
64. Text someone to say you love or miss them
65. Do nothing but enjoy a cup of tea or coffee
66. Walk around the block
67. Write a thank you note
68. Send a fun picture to a friend
69. Play rock-paper- scissors with your kid
70. Clean out your wallet
71. Make a to-do list for your kids or partner
72. Buy a loved one a book online
73. Walk around the perimeter of your home
74. Play a game like Words With Friends online
75. Clean the garbage out of your car
76. Research the benefits of turmeric
77. Eat a bowl of cereal any time of the day except morning
78. Make plans with a friend
79. Start your Christmas list early
80. Make a silly meme from one of your photos online
81. Clean up your computer’s desktop
82. Look for holiday decorations on eBay
83. Light some incense or a scented candle and watch it burn
84. Clean out your medicine chest
85. Close your eyes for five minutes, we dare you!
86. Sing. Loudly.
87. Unsubscribe from unwanted emails
88. Sort your scarves, belts, and/or other accessories
89. Listen to a TED Talk
90. Buy someone a fun pair of socks online
91. Make that medical appointment you’ve been putting off
92. Do some random stretches
93. Pamper your feet with a soak and lotion
94. Pick up or clean out the coffee area or cabinet in your kitchen
95. Organize your writing utensils
96. Flip or turn your mattress
97. Tell someone how much you appreciate them
98. Pay a bill online
99. Make a new playlist of songs
100. Begin to learn Tai Chi with YouTube
101. Write out where you want to “be” in a year and then five years
102. Pet your neighbor’s wandering cat
103. Peruse your bookshelf and put some in the donation pile
104. Sweep one room you’ve been avoiding
105. Clean out your purse, backpack, or briefcase
106. Drink as much water as you can in five minutes
107. Clean out your junk drawer
108. Start planning a mini vacation
109. Randomly select a new word from the dictionary and commit it to memory
110. Walk up and down all of the stairs, see if you can keep it up for five minutes
Need more time in you day call us today and let us do you dirty work
