Recently, while I was hunting through a file for some class information, I came across a “good health” handout with tips a person might follow in taking care of herself/himself. One of them was to spend at least fifteen minutes a day doing something enjoyable.

The importance of positives isn’t exactly new to me; I’ve written about it before. However, the “at least fifteen minutes” struck a note with me. I got to thinking about my routine. I work during the daytime ( sometimes even into the early evening), and my intention is to spend some relaxing time at night. The trouble is that by that time I’m pooped so I just plop down in front of the television and watch the news or something — often not very enjoyable.

So the idea of “fifteen minutes” is intriguing. What if there is a break in my daily schedule and I have at least fifteen minutes between chores or appointments or to let a rough draft “simmer” before the next reading? An enjoyable activity need not be complicated. It can be as simple as taking time to enjoy a vase of flowers or to pick the dead leaves off a potted plant. Or it can be something else that’s close at hand and which doesn’t involve lots of “getting things out.” Check out the following examples.

Working on a crossword puzzle

If you like words, leave a crossword puzzle out on your desk or on the dining room table. Work on it a little at a time.

It’s amazing the words that come to mind when returning to the puzzle from time to time. It’s not only relaxing but keeps the mind sharp, too.

Working on a jigsaw puzzle

This works if you have a place to set a card table where it won’t be disturbed. Choose an interesting picture.

My sisters and their husbands are working on creative puzzles involving fishing lures and license plates.

This is a relaxing activity that’s even more fun when someone works it with you.

Doing handwork

If you have an embroidery, crocheting, or knitting project started, leave it out where you can get to it during the day. In my case, I enjoy drawing, coloring, and cutting out rabbits, cows, flowers, and a whole of other objects from paper to use in scrapbooking.

Besides being enjoyable, this activity is good exercise for arthritic hands.

Getting in touch with nature:

We’re so busy with inside work that we often miss the neat things going on outdoors. Take a coffee break while sitting on a porch bench or while looking through a window.

You might be surprised and even touched at what you see.

For example, my sister Charlotte (Allum) wrote me what she observed through her kitchen window. A squirrel was running up and down a tree in their Fort Collins yard when he spied a cottontail rabbit under the deck.

“Hey, come play,” he seemed to say. The squirrel wore himself out running and running to try to get the rabbit’s attention, but the rabbit never came out to play.

Heartwarming, indeed.

Enjoy your fifteen minutes!