This August, the Glen Ivy Spa Monthly Challenge invites you to find ways to live happier and healthier life 10 minutes at time!

We are now through our third week of this challenge, and I have truly been inspired by the responses. So many of you have made sincere and successful steps towards acknowledging your health and actively finding time in your day for YOU.  Reading through the letters has reinforced this and spurred some new ideas on how to make time in my day, and so we will continue to share some of the many that we have received.

Please keep sending your weekly notes to contest@glenivy.com, and if you haven’t tried the Challenge yet, it’s not too late! Next Tuesday, Aug 30 will be the last week that we will draw for a Glen Ivy Hot Springs admission voucher, but we hope that you will continue to invest a minimum of 10 minutes each day on your health and happiness. Please continue to share your successes with us by leaving comments on the Blog. Many participants have noted that the simple act of writing it down affirms their efforts and is powerful in helping to create new healthy habits. The extra perk is you may be inspiring someone else to do the same, and that feels great too!

Congratulations to Krissa W., Week Three WINNER of a one day admission to Glen Ivy Hot Springs!

You will find Krissa’s letter for you to read below, as well as few more highlights from other participants. Spending time with animals, usually dogs, but also cats, horses and even alpacas, has brought calm and smiles to many this past week. Meditation and quiet time for reflection were other popular ways people chose to use their 10 minutes a day. What will you do with 10 minutes?

Here are some of the notes we received last week to inspire you:

I must say when I read the challenge I really doubted how 10 minutes a day could make any kind of impact on my day.  Boy was I surprised!  As a full time working woman, mom, and wife, it is amazing how you can make time and be sure everybody else is taken care of but neglect yourself.  With this challenge I vowed to try 10 minutes and see how it went, I mean who can’t spare 10 minutes (that is a coffee break).  On day one I just tried doing some meditation at my desk.  Closed my eyes and focused on my breathing.  It helped so much to just de-stress from the day I was having… then to my surprise when my 10 minutes was up I looked out my window to see a dragonfly rocking a yoga pose perhaps mimicking me.  Hilarious!  I think his pose was better than mine… but hey.  They next three days I opted to take quick walks since there was a lot going on at the office and real “quiet & alone” time would be hard to come by.  My goal was to enjoy my surroundings and find something that caught my eye and appreciate it.  I found some lovely red flowers one day, an amazing sunflower the next, a lovely serene view of some yellow flowers with the river in the background and finally on day five I ventured out even further for a relaxing 10 minute drive with a new CD and caught an amazing glimpse of the lakes by my office.  Funny how until the challenge I thought I need to spend more time getting away when my true escape came from within and giving back to myself……….just 10 little minutes.

Now I find myself looking forward to my 10 minutes of “me” time and since it is such a small amount of time… no excuses needed to justify it.  Now I combine it with my coffee break and enjoy a fresh cup and a walk to soak it all in and take joy in celebrating me.  I have also noticed it helps me relax and be more tolerant of those interruptions from both co-workers and family.  I have added an extra 10 minutes of “me” time into my home life too.  So twice a day I make sure that I relax and recharge.  Who knew 10 minutes was enough time!— Krissa W.

I found my ten minutes of better health to be in the morning when I first wake up. Its the one time I have the ENTIRE house quiet, and I have been meditating, stretching, day dreaming..etc! Sometimes, it takes place in the shower, other times its when im blow drying my hair. I consider ME time a way to a better healthier me! Plus, waking up early gives PLENTY of time for breakfast
My only advice…I need more than ten minutes! —Shanna F.

I spend ten mins. of my day decompressing from the business, by meditating to some wonderful Spanish guitar music and sometimes with a glass of wine. — Ashley S.

I start the day outside on the patio with my first cup of coffee.  I am spending time with nature and my dogs… no kids, no husband, this is my private time, and I enjoy the silence and tranquility before any chaos begins. It’s my time to be mindful, to center myself, to focus on ME. This morning ritual is VITAL to maintaining health and happiness. — Sande M.

Horseback riding, grooming and exercising 2 horses. Very relaxing and fulfilling. Horses are my physical and mental therapy! I took a ballet class for one hour & 1/2. I haven’t been in a dance class for over 20 years. I must be crazy. Sweated like a pig and huffed like a steam engine. The following day… walked my two dogs morning and evening. Tried to stretch out in the evening to work against the sore muscles from yesterday’s dance class. I am so sore, but it is a good sore...— Irene H.

Laid outside and read a magazine, hardly ever do I sit and relax like this. Another day… Went to the gym and did more yoga for an hour, and then came home and read for 20 minutes about healthy recipes. — AE

I relax at the end of the day while enjoying a hot cup of chamomile tea for a restful sleep and with great energy the following day. Reading, soaking feet in warm water and foot massages are also favorite ways to spend my 10 minutes. — Rosa Z.

I visited an alpaca farm with friends for the entertainment of the kids, but was surprised by how much I enjoyed being around these animals. They also have incredible soft wool and so I bought some and decided to try learning to knit. It was easier than I thought and I have been spending 10 minutes a day, or more, knitting. It is far more relaxing than I thought, but kind of fun too! — Alyssa N.

What will you do with 10 minutes? Post your comments here, or email to contest@glenivy.com.