“Five Ways to Feel Good in Five Minutes,” New Era, February 2016, 24–26
Five Ways to Feel Good in Five Minutes
Karee Brown lives in Utah, USA.
Short on time? Take five minutes to find joy today and you’ll be surprised by the difference it makes.
Photographs by Craig Bell and iStock/Thinkstock
Feeling overwhelmed with your to-do list? Finding a balance between school, church, sports, and other extracurricular activities can sometimes seem impossible. In fact, with a jam-packed schedule it can be hard to feel anything but busy. But guess what? God wants you to have joy—He created you so you could have joy (see 2 Nephi 2:25).
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, has said, “If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.”1
Heavenly Father promised that those who keep His commandments will receive “never-ending happiness” (Mosiah 2:41). Never-ending is a whole lot of joy, but it all starts one day at a time. Start with just five minutes at a time, and you’ll be on your way to feeling joy more frequently.
Turn the page for five ideas to get you started.
Here are a few things you can do today—no matter what your schedule looks like.
1. Ponder
Take a few minutes to step back from everything. Listen to the birds or the wind as you reflect on God’s creations and who you are as His child. Take the time to “be still and know that [He is] God” (D&C 101:16).
2. Share a Scripture
Read a conference talk or search the scriptures for an inspiring quote. Text it to a friend or family member or share it on social media. Spending a few minutes focusing on and sharing spiritual things is a great way to feel good.
3. Express Gratitude
Keep a little notebook and write down things you’re grateful for each day, especially when it’s hard to find joy in what you’re doing. Choosing gratitude uplifts your feelings.
4. Give Appreciation
Think about the people in your life who encourage and support you—parents, leaders, teachers, grandparents, or friends. Take the time to call or text one of them and say how much you love or appreciate them. It’s even better if you talk face-to-face.
5. Do Secret Service
There are plenty of five-minute secret acts of service you can perform around your house or for your neighbors or classmates. Empty the dishwasher, make a sibling’s bed, take the garbage out, help someone carry their gear, or write a nice note to someone who’s feeling down.