5 Simple 30-Second Self-Care Routines

Imagine the scene – you've just hopped off your flight, made it through the crowded airport terminals and out of the baggage claim after a long day of traveling. Perhaps you've had to handle some unexpected mishaps on this day, such as a delayed flight or misplaced luggage. But you remained cool, calm and collected throughout it all – hey, these things happen.

Now, you're so close to your final destination and you’re looking forward to getting into the hotel room and being able to relax and unwind. You pick up your rental car keys at the counter, head to the parking lot, load up in your rental vehicle and drive towards the exit gate – only to see that there is a line with 10+ cars. More delays.

But you can easily avoid that final delay by taking advantage of the Hertz partnership with CLEAR, which means you can exit the gate without the wait. All you need is a CLEAR account linked to your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards^® account. Using CLEAR technology, you won't have to reach for an ID as you exit the Hertz lot, and you can exit the gate in 30 seconds or less^*.

After a long day of traveling, getting through a line in 30 seconds can make a real difference to your state of mind. On that note, we wanted to share a few other ways you can add a little extra joy to your day in 30 seconds – because, let’s be honest, we all could use some more of that.

Practice mindfulness

Don't let the term scare you. The definition of mindfulness is "the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something." Simply closing your eyes and consciously focusing on your breathing, the sounds around you or the feelings in your body for 30 seconds can be an incredible way to ground yourself.

Some people do the ‘five things of mindfulness’, where you concentrate on five things you can see, hear, feel or taste. Think of it as a quick reset for your brain in a world full of demands and distractions. The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or like you need a break, take 30 seconds to go inward. You'll be surprised at the difference it can make.

Reach out to a loved one

How often do you think of someone that you’re close to or love, but get distracted before reaching out to share that you were thinking of them? It doesn't take much time to send a quick text, email or even make a quick voice memo to someone that you care about.

With just 30 seconds, you can connect in a meaningful way and make that person's day – and maybe even yours too. A little kindness always goes a long way.

Stretch your body

With today's technology, a lot of people spend the majority of their days sitting down, (perhaps even slumped over) looking at screens. Over time, this can lead to upper and lower back, shoulder, neck pain and more.

While your schedule may not always allow for an hour or more in a yoga class, at a gym, or in a massage parlor, you can always take 30 seconds to stretch out those sore areas yourself.

With a simple shoulder roll or personal neck massage, you can begin to release some tension in your body – and that can have a huge impact on how you feel for the rest of your day. Try these after a flight or a long drive and see if you feel a little better. 

Make a gratitude list

When was the last time you made a list that wasn't full of work tasks and to-do items? No matter what your current state of mind (even if you're in the middle of a particularly stressful day), taking a mere 30 seconds to jot down three to five things you’re grateful for will immediately begin to bring your mind to a more joyful place.

Bonus: when you choose to make a list of things that you’re grateful for, big or small, you begin to train your brain to notice those things more often.

Smile

How often do you smile just for the sake of smiling? It may sound cheesy, but scientific studies prove that merely the act of smiling releases feel-good neurotransmitters – dopamine, endorphins and serotonin – throughout your body's system.

When you keep that in mind, this seemingly ordinary facial move is sort of like a superpower that can transport you to a higher mood.  A great way to get smiling is to think of something you’re looking forward to doing when you finish your day. It never fails to cheer us up!  

We hope this list of 30-second self-care routines inspires you to begin practicing small changes that can make a big impact on your day-to-day life. For another way to spend 30 seconds and avoid stress during airport travel, follow these steps to start enjoying Hertz Fast Lane powered by CLEAR.