When you work from home you’re your own boss; still many wahms find it difficult to  take a break during their day – and do something fun during that break! If that’s you, sit back and read these 15 tips that will enhance your work day in just 15 minutes!

Make Yourself Over

Spice up your work day by spicing up your look! No, I’m not implying that you rush off to the salon and demand your booked stylist see you right this minute. Change your look instantly and without the cash investment and commitment, by playing virtual make over games online at Daily Makeover. Have some fun and possibly get ideas for your next salon trip, which you can schedule when you have more than 15 minutes to spare.

Make Over Your House (Or One Room in It)

Fly Lady can help you get motivated and moving through your house faster than that imaginary hurricane you keeping claiming it was hit by. With the use of her resourceful household cleaning tactics and products, she’ll have your home chaos free in no time, no matter how much time you have to commit to cleaning.

Do a Good Deed

Between business and family life, you may not be able to find the time to volunteer or give to worthy causes. That’s why modern technology has made it easy to be charitable right from your office chair. Free Rice is a website that allows you to take mini quizzes in subject categories such as English Grammar, Foreign Languages, Basic Math and even Fine Art and as you have fun testing your knowledge, each right answer fills a virtual bowl with 10 grains of rice that will be made into a real meal for those who are hungry around the world!

Get Some Mommy “Me Time”

Moms are busy, and no one is more aware of that fact than other moms. That’s why the creators of 5 Minutes for Mom thought they’d compact the things that matter most to moms onto a site that would only demand a bit of your time while allowing you to connect with other moms, play virtual games and read up on faith, family and related topics. With 15 minutes to spare you can get triple the benefits of using 5 minutes for Mom!

Get Away

Recline your chair and drift away while listening to soothing music and viewing beautiful images on your computer monitor at the Get Relaxed website. Another option is to get a moving photo to adorn your home office wall and mediate on it when you are feeling stressed.

Power Up With a Power Nap

Low on energy? Get a quick boost in the brain by indulging in a power nap. You’ll be amazed at how refreshed you feel from a 15 minute sleep.

Read a Newspaper

Thanks to modern technology many of us now get all of our news either from the television or online. Yes, it’s convenient to check out world events on the World Wide Web, but nothing can replace holding and flipping through the crisp pages of an old fashioned newspaper. (Just don’t spill your coffee on it!)

Share Something New with an Old Friend

As moms we get busy, and busyness often occurs when changes are constantly taking place. Why not give a friend you haven’t talked to in a while a call and play catch up? It’ll make both of you feel good.

Get Refreshed with Fresh Air

If a power nap doesn’t do the trick, you can rest assured that a brisk walk outdoors will wake you up and get you ready for your next few hours of work. If the kids are home, they’ll enjoy getting out of the house.

Enjoy a Pre-made Lunch

Order or prepare a lunch before you begin your work day, then enjoy getting right down to business once it’s break time and your belly has begun to yell at you!

Give Yourself a Massage

Achy body from sitting for too long at the computer? Cramped hands from typing? Sounds like you need a nice rub down. You don’t have to wait for hubby to get home to get just that!  Master the art of self massage by reading Self Massage: The Complete 15-Minute-A-Day Programme by Jacqueline Young and sooth your own soreness so you can get on with your work day, feeling brand new.

Put Plans into Action

What will your family be doing this weekend? Spend some time looking up local events that may interest your family and discuss them later. Putting the effort into finding ways to spend time together will make that time more likely to happen!

Journal Away Frustrations

Maybe the old friend you tried to call wasn’t available and you just can’t wait till hubby gets home to share your frustrations from the part of your work day that has passed. Vent in a journal! It’ll help you to get the frustrating thoughts and feelings out of your head, so you can perform your absolute best the rest of your work day.

Share the Computer

If the kids are home and you’ve been hogging the only computer in the house for work, let them have some fun on age appropriate sites while you relax with a good book.  Just don’t lose track of time! It’ll be easy for all of you to do so.

Color Your Way to a Brighter Day

Check out Coloring Pages for Moms to find adult friendly coloring pages to print, with categories like landscapes and fun graffiti. While you are at it, print out coloring pages for the kids. They’ll enjoy sharing one of their favorite past times with mom and you’ll have a blast too!

Try alternating these tips each time you are taking a break until you find your favorite way to spend your downtime. They’re sure to relax, refresh and add some excitement into any wahm’s “average work day”.