Why the Humble Kitchen Timer Can Be Your #1 Productivity Tool

HOURLY RE-ENERGIZING - THE KEY TOminutes that gives enormous benefits is the Five
PRODUCTIVITYTibetan Rites. Google "Five Tibetan Rites" and you
How can a kitchen timer be a productivity tool?can easily find five exercises that are deceptively
Well, can you identify with this scenario - yousimple but incredibly effective. These five
spend hours sitting at your desk without taking aexercises are said to exercise every muscle in
break.. Yeh, me too. When I first went to a Tonythe body. The advantage of this form of exercise
Robbins seminar, I was amazed that I could put inis that you need no equipment and can do it
12 to 15 hour days for four to six days at a time,anywhere. Another major benefit is that
and still have energy to burn at the end of theincorporates stretching into your exercise regime.
day. A feature of any Tony Robbins seminar isWhile I've always looked after my aerobic and
that every hour you get up, stretch, normallystrength capacities, I have to concede that
dance for five minutes to great music, andstretching has been one of the missing elements
generally re-energize. Hourly Re-Energizing: Thein a balanced exercise regime, and has become
Key To Productivity and Health!increasingly important as I have gotten older.
I had every intention of carrying this on when ITRX TRAINERS
got home, but settled back into my normalMy third form of exercise is using a TRX trainer.
routine of sitting at my desk for hours on end. ItThe TRX trainer was originally developed for use
was at this stage that I brought to the kitchenby the Navy Seals and will fit easily in your
timer.briefcase. Because I work from home my TRX
THE "ENERGY BREAK"trainer is hooked over my office door as a
My normal routine now is to work for 50 minutesconstant reminder that I need five minutes
and take a 10 minute break. I set my kitchenexercise every hour; this way, it gets used. My
timer for 50 minutes and get up within fiveTRX Trainer also travels with me, as does my
minutes of going off, and take an "Energy Break."two page Tibetan Rites exercise chart.
This energy break can take several forms andDANCE LIKE THERE IS NO-ONE WATCHING
you can choose the one that works best for you.My final form of exercise, and one the ladies will
I have four main energy break routines, but theylove, is to "Dance like there is no one watching."
have several things in common. The first is is thatAn aging rocker, my favourite music includes
they get my lungs pumping at maximum capacity.people like Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Roy
Clearing the stale air out of your lungs andOrbison, etc and dancing to your favourite music
effectively having an oxygen break is a majoris a great way to rejuvenate your energy levels.
tool in replenishing your energy stores andRE-ENERGIZE - SHARPEN YOUR MIND - BOOST
re-sharpening your mind.PRODUCTIVITY
The second factor is exercising your heart andSo, get yourself a kitchen timer, divide every
getting the blood pumping around your body again.hour into 50 minutes of work and 5 to 10 minutes
Not only does your heart start pumping again, butof exercise - and watch your energy levels and
because you are breathing heavily, your blood isproductivity soar. A word of warning though -
being oxygenated.there is as side effect: you become trim, taut and
PERSONAL REBOUNDERSterrific by incorporating 5-minute energy breaks
One of my favourite energy break activities isinto your day; if you can not handle looking and
using my personal rebounder, or mini trampoline.feeling great, do not do it!
After your heart and lungs, the third most40 MINUTES OF EXERCISE - 5 MINUTES AT A
important health mechanism is your lymphTIME
system. Unlike the heart and lungs, the lymphNote that if you work an 8 hour day, your 8 x 5
system has no pump to drive it. One of the fewminute exercise breaks add up to 40 minutes
activities that drives the lymph system isexercise a day, so now the "I do not have time
bouncing up and down. The lymph system isto exercise" excuse does not work. And if you
fundamental to good health and so I highlyare in poor health, 8 x 5 minute sessions may well
recommend using a personal rebounder at leastsuit you better than a vigorous 40 minute
twice a day. I am not sure if it is true, but Iexercise routine.
remember reading somewhere that five minutesOn a more serious note, if you are not in good
on a rebounder is the equivalent of running a mileshape please consult your medical practitioner
- and definitely much easier on your joints. And ifbefore commencing any exercise program. If you
you struggle with constipation, the mini trampolineare obese or in poor health, a 5 minute walk
is the greatest natural cure there is!around the block may be more appropriate to
THE FIVE TIBETAN RITESstart with.
Another activity that you can do for just five