Although taking care of your health is a lifelong pursuit, you do not always have the time for a full workout or a long mindfulness session. But even when you are short on time, there are plenty of ways to get a little health boost in 5 minutes or less.

Here, we'll discuss nine unique ways to focus on your health in little bursts throughout the day.

1. Take a Deep Breath

Pause for a moment to take a full, deep breath every now and then. To go a step further, follow a simple breathing tutorial on YouTube. For instance, the Guided Box Breathing animation from Feeling Healing makes the exercise fun and accessible.

Box breathing—the common stress-relieving and focusing exercise—is helpful for pretty much anyone. Once you get the hang of box breathing (or a similar technique), you can use it whenever you feel stressed or simply need a break.

2. Drink Some Water

splashy glass of water

Granted, telling people to drink more water is basically a meme at this point. But it still makes a difference, and nobody enjoys feeling dehydrated. Adding a few more sips of water throughout the day can increase your hydration with only a little effort on your part.

Want to get serious about your hydration stats? Go ahead and log your water intake while you're at it. Apps that make sure you drink enough water, including Apple's Health app, can give you that extra motivation to keep on sipping.

And for full connectivity, you can even use a smart water bottle that tracks how much you drink throughout the day. (Opting for a regular old water bottle is fine, too.)

3. Move Your Body

Have an impromptu dance party. Take a quick walk around the block. Do a couple of jumping jacks, or jog in place for a few steps. Sometimes a bit of movement can shake off nerves or brighten your mindset.

For a guided experience, follow a 5-minute YouTube workout of your choice, such as the 5-Minute Office Break Workout with BodyFit By Amy. You can knock out an impressive set of exercises in only a few minutes.

Plus, just about any workout, even the ones you do not love so much, seem much more doable in 5-minute increments.

4. Sip Some Tea

hot tea in a clear glass with steam

Whether you are trying to pep up or chill out, there is a cup of tea for every occasion. Learn more with the apps for tea enthusiasts to find your perfect blend. Explore the varieties of black, green, and white teas, as well as herbal teas like rooibos and yerba mate.

Of course, you can also just grab whatever is handy and brew up a cup. There is something inherently soothing about savoring a warm cup of tea at any time.

5. Apply (or Reapply) Sunscreen

Even when you are not spending the day at the beach, wearing sunscreen is a simple way to help protect your skin. Plus, modern sunscreens are generally lightweight and comfortable to wear, especially the varieties designed for your face.

There is also an app to remind you to wear sunscreen called Reapply. It's a handy download for anyone who tends to forget about this part of the daily routine. Unfortunately, this app isn't available for Android users, but you can always set reminders on your phone.

Download: Reapply for iOS (Free)

6. Have a Laugh

people laughing in a group with open laptops

Trade some jokes with your best friend, or visit some of the best humor blogs online. Even re-watching the same cheesy video that always makes you crack up counts.

If you have a Google Nest or Google Home speaker, you can ask Google for some jokes. Just say, "Hey Google, tell me a joke." Who knew voice assistants had such a silly streak?

7. Unplug and Chill Out

Shut your laptop screen, set your phone to silent, and walk away for a few minutes. Giving your brain a break from screens—even for a couple of minutes here and there—is a quick way to recharge.

Somewhat paradoxically, there are also apps (such as OFFTIME) that remind you to unplug. Generally, these types of apps help you set boundaries with media by blocking your phone for a set amount of time.

Download: OFFTIME for iOS ($0.99) | Android (Free)

8. Relax Your Jaw

Unclench your jaw. The muscles in that area will thank you immediately because it is easy to overlook all the tension you hold. Or, take the next step with a quick jaw massage.

Videos such as Self-massage for TMJ/Jaw Pain by Massage Sloth can teach you how to care for this often-overlooked area. Give jaw massage a try because the relaxing results may surprise you.

There is an app called No Clenching for more frequent reminders to relax the jaw muscles throughout the day. You can address this minor but persistent discomfort and feel a little more comfortable. However, if you have more severe issues with jaw pain, then address them with your doctor.

Download: No Clenching for iOS (Free)

9. Meditate for a Few Breaths

Close your eyes and meditate on your own, or choose one of the many 5-minute meditation videos on YouTube. The 5-Minute Mindful Meditation from Great Meditation is calming and lovely, a perfect intro for anyone new to the practice.

You can sit on a meditation cushion and go the traditional route or simply kick back in your computer chair for a few minutes.

Alternately, use a calming app to help clear stress and practice meditation techniques. Even a few minutes of guided mediation can help make a difference in your mindset. Once you find a narrator and style you like, you can find a relaxing zone almost anywhere.

Take a Few Minutes to Boost Your Health

Whether you share a laugh, take a deep breath, or enjoy moving around for a bit, a few minutes a day is all you need to refresh your body and mind. These 5-minute breaks can boost your productivity in more ways than you can imagine.

Even when your to-do list has no end in sight, there's time to squeeze in a few minutes to focus on your health and well-being throughout the day.