Everyone is so busy these days that finding time to take care of ourselves is really hard. I was at a spa party a few days ago and every woman there had “it’s been so long” story about self-care. We’re all so busy working and taking care of everyone else that a relaxing bubble bath becomes a rare luxurious indulgence. No wonder exercise falls to the bottom of everyone’s to-do list!

But, just like the flight attendants tell us, put your own oxygen mask on first, then help other people with theirs. That is a great example of taking care of yourself so that you are then able to take care of others. Self-care is not a selfish luxury but a necessity. Trying to pour water from an empty cup is senseless! Fill that cup up and then you will have water to share.

Start with a ten-minute walk. Just ten minutes a day of walking briskly will make such a difference in your quality of life. If you can do that three times a day, you will be getting a decent amount of exercise and gaining real health benefits from it.

Here are some ways to complete ten minute walks throughout the course of your day:

1—Walk during your coffee breaks at work. Just walk five minutes, then turn around & come back. Do this once in the morning and once in the afternoon and you’ll have twenty minutes of exercise done before you get home.

2—Walk during your lunch break. Take a quick ten-minute walk and then have your lunch. If you can find somewhere to eat that is ten minutes away, walk there, eat and walk back. Two sessions done!

3—Walk while watching TV. Just get up off the couch and walk. While you are catching up on your favorite show, watch and walk in place. If you watch three shows, just walk for ten minutes during each show.

4—Walk before shopping. When you go to the mall or the grocery store, walk for ten minutes before you buy anything. You’ll get a good look at the sales, too!

5—When the weather is nice, walk around the parking lot before you go into the grocery store or the mall.

6—Walk after meals. Three meals, three ten-minute walks. Easy-peasy.

7—Walk and talk. Walking with your friends and loved ones is a great way to spend time. And, with your cell phone, you can catch up no matter where your favorite people are. You’ll do your heart good in two ways!

Just pick one of the above to try this week. It’s a terribly busy time, but so is your whole life. And, if you cannot find ten minutes to take care of you, then you’re just too busy.

A good sports watch, like this Speedo Fastskin Watch can help you remember to walk with alarms, and to time your walks with the stopwatch function.