10-Minute Digital Ways to Reset Your Day

Some days pile up. Work, family and everything in between can leave you needing a breather, but you cannot always walk away. The good news is that the device in your pocket can help you reset your day in ten minutes or less. Here are some healthy digital ideas, from VR fitness to phone-based wellness.

A quick brain teaser

A morning or lunch break is a lovely moment for a mental refresh. Games like Solitaire or Sudoku are ideal for five or ten spare minutes and can shake off a foggy mind. Just keep an eye on the clock so a quick break does not turn into an hour.

A VR walk to reset your day

Virtual reality is best known for gaming, with around 3 billion gamers worldwide and plenty of them using VR, but it also works for fitness. To get started:

• Pick a platform that suits your needs and budget, such as Meta Quest 3 or PSVR2.
• Learn how it works and how much room it gives you to move.
• Look through the app stores for top-rated walking and fitness apps.
• Clear enough space to move around safely.
• Add a short walk or workout to your daily exercise or wind-down routine.

Meditation, breathing and yoga

Even five or ten minutes of meditation can sharpen focus and lift energy, although it is not always easy to master. Apps can help. Headspace, for example, lets you personalise sessions, including a five-minute energy-boosting breathing routine.

If you prefer something more physical, yoga is easy to fit in without a gym bag or a one-hour class. There are online classes, live or recorded, and plenty of apps. If you enjoy VR, Alo Moves XR offers mixed-reality yoga teaching at home.

Music and books

Music can change your mood in an instant. Most of us have a smartphone and at least one media app, whether that is Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music or YouTube. Whether you want calm, focus or a quick escape, your favourite tracks help. Some people also use specially designed sound frequencies for calm, focus, energy or even pain relief.

People still read, and the print versus digital debate hardly matters. What counts is having almost anything ever written on a single device. An e-reader such as a Kindle gives you a huge choice, and ten minutes lost in a story can freshen your mind and lift your spirits.

Creative and family time

• Journal blog: About 25% of women keep a daily diary, and a blog is a digital version. It gives you a space to be creative, set goals, empty your head, keep precious moments and practise mindfulness. You may even pick up skills such as online marketing.
• Follow-along recipes: Cooking is calming for many people. Use a tablet to watch recipe videos, ask a voice assistant for help or try an app like SuperCook, which suggests dishes from the ingredients you already have.
• Games with the kids: Playing together is a great way to bond. Nintendo titles are largely family-friendly. Just do not let them win at Mario Kart.
• Digital art: You do not need to be talented, only willing to enjoy the process. Tools like Adobe Photoshop let you make artwork without the mess, or learn to edit your own photos.
• Classic board games: Scrabble, Cluedo and Monopoly all come in digital form for phones and consoles, and some can be played online with other people.

You do not need a long break to feel better. Pick one idea that suits your mood, set a timer and enjoy it, and you may find the rest of the day goes a bit more smoothly.