Ten minutes might not feel like much, so we often let those little windows of time pass us by. But instead, why not do something impactful? Try out some of these productive things to do in ten minutes and give your whole day a boost.
You could spend a spare ten minutes mindlessly scrolling Instagram or catching up on Facebook. Or you could do something productive that will make you feel more accomplished and improve your entire day. All you need is to do is think creatively about your time and how to best use it.
The next time you’re sitting outside your child’s dance class, stuck on hold waiting for customer service, or just have a few minutes to kill at home—why not try one of the tasks on this list. It’s an opportunity to get ahead with your to-do list now, so you can relax and recharge with your loved ones later.
Got 10 Minutes? Here Are 8 Productive Things You Can Do
1. Clear your email inbox
If you check and clear your email inbox regularly, you can keep on top of it so it doesn’t become overwhelming. All you need is ten minutes every few days to keep from drowning in your emails.
Or if you’re already staring down the barrel of an overfilled email inbox that you have been putting off for too long, that’s OK. You can still tackle it in small chunks. Just get started with it and you will be surprised with how much progress you can make in just ten minutes.
2. Throw out old fridge items
You probably have a few containers of old leftovers in your fridge that needs to be thrown out, and ten minutes is a great amount of time to go through it all. You probably have some sad-looking fruit and vegetables (and possibly a few “hidden” surprises) that could be thrown away in ten minutes.
And while you’re at it, don’t forget to check the expiry dates on the condiments and jars. It will free up space in the door and also ensure that you’re not disappointed next time you reach for a favourite snack.
3. Check in on your finances
There are so many productive things you can do in ten minutes to keep your finances under control. A simple scroll through your bank transaction history to check for any unusual charges is a great place to start. (In fact, I actually did this last weekend and found a fraudulent charge! I was able to report it to my bank and nip it in the bud right away because I caught it early.)
You could also use ten minutes to calculate your net worth, pay a bill, or set up a savings account for a new goal. Money becomes far less scary if you spend just a little time each week understanding your financial position.
4. Exercise
Many busy people say they have no time to exercise, and yes—you may not have a leisurely hour to take a gym class or go for a run. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t use smaller windows of time to your advantage and get in a quick workout.
You don’t even need to get changed into your best Lycra, which might take ten minutes all on its own. Instead, just go for a quick walk or download a ten-minute workout app and do something to get your heart rate up. Working out, even for ten minutes, can help give you a rush of endorphins and help clear your mind.
5. Make a gratitude list
Gratitude is one of the most powerful emotions there is, and spending just a few minutes reflecting on what you are grateful for can have huge implications. Gratitude has been proven to positively impact our social relationships, career, health, and overall emotions.
You can do this with a pen and paper, on the notes app in your phone, or even in your head. Just make a list of the things in your life that you are grateful for: it could be your kids, your home, your car, your partner, your work, or anything really. Just take note of whatever speaks to your heart, pause for a moment to appreciate it, and then carry that feeling with you for the rest of your day.
Related Post: 8 Productive Things To Do At Night For An Easy Morning
6. Clean out your junk drawer
Junk drawers are those spaces in your home that serve as catch-alls for random bits and pieces that you don’t know what to do with. The problem is you eventually lose track of what’s in there. This results in wasted time spent searching for random items and wasted money (because you end up buying things you already own but can’t find).
So yes, junk drawers do have a place in a functional home, but they need to be kept under control. Take ten minutes to empty the drawer, get rid of anything you don’t need, and then organize it so you can actually see what you own.
7. Unfollow people who make you feel bad
If you’re on social media, particularly Instagram, you probably follow a few people whose posts make you feel bad about yourself. These could be huge celebs with lavish lifestyles, fitness influencers with perfect 6-packs, or old high school friends who just seem to have their lives together.
Take ten minutes to audit the accounts you follow and get rid of anyone who doesn’t make you feel good. It doesn’t mean that they are bad people, it just means that they aren’t a good fit for you. After all, social media should be an escape, not something we use to convince ourselves we aren’t good enough.
8. Make that phone call
You know what this means. You probably need to book that dentist appointment, call back a family member, or make some other phone call that you have been putting off. If you have a ten-minute window, you will feel like the most productive supermom in the world if you just make that darn phone call.
Maybe for you, it’s not a phone call but an email, or even a text message, but the same rule applies. The longer we put these things off, the more overwhelming they become. You will feel so much better and more accomplished if you just do it in a small window of time without spending too much time overthinking.
Want more productivity tips? Here are 5 Productive Things To Do At The Start Of The Month (To Take Back Your Time!)
What’s your favourite way to spend ten minutes being productive? Let us know your tips in the comments!