Got 15 Minutes? Make Them Count

By Sandy Schroeder

How many 15-minute segments do we waste every day?  As the world continues to spin, it may be time to make each one of them count.  

If you are like me, you postpone sessions on your bike, short walks or workouts, assuming you will do them later when you have more time. Then the day sails by and they simply don't happen. But look what they could accomplish.

Start Stacking Those Sessions 

Add up the impact of 15-minute segments. 

• When you do a morning and afternoon 15-minute exercise you meet the daily recommended exercise quota for the day 
• When you do a 15-minute meditation in the morning, you give your whole day more calmness 
• When you take 15 minutes to stretch, your whole body gets a chance to limber up 
• When you start exercising, that 15 minutes may become 30 minutes or more 
• When you do 15 minutes of biking in the morning, you may have more energy all day 
• Do 15 minutes for strength and another 15 for endurance 
• 15 minutes can sculpt your body and stimulate your mind 

So What Happens in 15 Minutes 

Check these moves recommended by MindBodyGreen.com for 15 minute sessions. See which ones move you. 

Start with jumping jacks - Wake up your whole body. Stand with feet together. Raise arms out and up over your head. At the same time jump wide and then spring back. Repeat 5 to 10 times and then pause to cool down. 

Forward fold - Let go of tension. Stand up straight and breathe deeply. Tuck your chin into your chest and then roll down toward the floor. Pause for a few breaths and then slowly roll back up to a standing position.  

Morning lift - Stand up straight. Lace hands behind head and spread elbows. Breathe in and lift your chest up. Breathe out and flatten back lowering chest to be parallel with the ground. Pause and then fold forward toward legs. Bend knees if needed. Slowly raise back to standing. Repeat three times. 

If these moves work for you, keep looking for more ways to put 15 minutes to work. You might want to dance a little, do a quick run, run up and down the steps or take a quick bike ride. Later you might use 15-minute segments to meditate, do some deep breathing, or go out to your garden and clip a few bushes.  

When you are ready to stay active, visit The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you and find out more about personal healthcare plans that eliminate the hassle of insurance. Walk-ins are welcome.