Short, simple activities lasting only a few minutes could help improve mood, wellbeing and energy, according to growing research. These activities, known as “micropractices”, can take as little as 30 seconds, according to author Eli Susman. The approach offers an alternative to longer self-care routines, which can require significant time and commitment.
One example is laughter yoga, which uses breathing exercises followed by deliberate, non-humorous laughter. During a session with researcher Natalie Van der Wal of Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, an initially forced laugh eventually became genuine laughter.
Van der Wal said participants can sometimes find it easier to form friendships after taking part in laughter yoga. The activity may also have effects beyond simply making people laugh.
A large meta-analysis conducted by Van der Wal found that non-humorous laughter was about twice as effective as humour-related laughter at reducing depression and anxiety. The findings add to wider research suggesting that brief activities may contribute to improved wellbeing. Other examples of modern self-care can involve meditation sessions or activities such as cold-water swimming.
However, proponents of micropractices argue that wellbeing activities do not always need to be lengthy to be useful. The concept focuses on incorporating short, manageable activities into everyday routines. While the research cited points to potential benefits, individual experiences can vary. For people feeling overwhelmed, micropractices offer another approach to incorporating brief moments of wellbeing into daily life.
