“I wish I could do better, but eating healthy and exercising can feel so overwhelming.” 

If you’ve ever had these thoughts, here’s a gentle, effective way to get you moving in the right direction.

It’s called the 5-minute action.

There’s nothing special about 5 minutes. It could be 10 seconds, 1 minute, or 10 minutes. 

The point is:

• It’s an action—something you do.
• That action is very small, something that feels easy and simple.
• It moves you in the direction you want to go.
• It's an easy win—which gives you the confidence boost to do more good for yourself.
  
  

How to do it

Pick an action that might have a positive impact on health and well-being right now.

Some examples:

• Cut up some carrots for a later snack.
• Do five minutes of foam rolling.
• Slowly enjoy a mug of tea.
  
  

You can also get a little more strategic, and pick an action—maybe even one to commit to daily—to support a larger goal.

For example, maybe your ultimate goal is to get back into the habit of eating mostly home-cooked meals.


Take ONE small action in support of your bigger, future goal.

That might mean making a grocery list, looking up some recipes, or chopping up a few vegetables.

It can be tough to get motivated, but here’s a secret: It’s action that drives motivation, not the other way around.

When you do a small thing to improve your circumstances, this actually inspires you to do more things. 

Now you’re no longer “waiting to get motivated.” You’re creating your own motivation.