10 Minutes

There are moments when we feel like we can’t take one more step. The body feels heavy, the mind is foggy, and the soul… silent. Sometimes we don’t know where to begin, and in those moments, I return to a practice that has saved me more than once: moving for just 10 minutes.

💫 The beginning of something small that changes everything years ago, when I faced a health situation, I remember I had a little dog named Mila. She was my companion during that time, our walks and our tiny adventures exploring the neighborhood where I lived, called La Moderna, and later on, San Antonio de las Minas.

I remember starting with the simple idea of walking around the block—nothing more. My body felt so weak that I didn’t want to focus on what I couldn’t do. I cried because I didn’t understand what was happening. I held onto the idea that it was temporary and that eventually I’d find an answer. It wasn’t the first time my body hadn’t responded, but this time, the cause was different.

I remember thinking: “It won’t be more than 10 minutes… it’ll be quick. What could happen? If I get tired or dizzy, someone can help me.” And I felt safe with Mila next to me (though honestly, that was probably just my perception… she was likely more traumatized than I was 🐶).

I even wrote a note with my name, my mom’s phone number, and the address where I was staying—always preparing for the worst. I was in such a rush to go back to Tijuana… I didn’t care about Ensenada at all.

🌳 Those first steps…

That day I walked that one block and began to observe the houses. I’ve always loved looking at architecture, colors, gardens… Somehow, time went by. Mila, happy, peeing everywhere (everything scared her back then). Those 10 minutes turned into half an hour, and before I knew it, I was able to climb the hill behind our house without a problem.

Sometimes I would sit to look at the horizon and, as always, listen to my silence. I remember crying, although I don’t remember why. Mila, the scared little dog, stopped being scared. Those walks healed her and me. More than once, she was the one pulling me to keep exploring. It was fun. Beautiful memories.

I recovered. Like I always have. Like I always will. It’s never worth giving up. I can’t change any chapter of my life.

🔄 Why move?

Because movement is medicine. And I don’t say that as a cute phrase—it’s backed by the most serious scientific studies.

Moving, even just a little, wakes up parts of your brain that were shut down by sadness, stress, or apathy.

🧠 It’s proven that even 10 minutes of light exercise increase: Dopamine, which helps you feel motivated and experience pleasure. Serotonin, which regulates mood. Endorphins, the ones that relieve pain and make us feel peaceful.

Beyond hormones and neurotransmitters, movement gives you back the power over your body—the one that sometimes feels like it no longer belongs to you.

💔 When the body shuts down because of unprocessed emotions Many times we carry emotions: anger, sadness, fear, frustration… And if we don’t move them, they stay. They accumulate. The body begins to hurt. The mind dims.

And right there is when we need movement the most—but not from pressure, from love

What’s the point of treating ourselves harshly when we can choose a path of peace? Some people yell at themselves or push with rigidity. That doesn’t work for everyone. For me, it doesn’t. It would trigger anger…

Moving the body means:

✨ It doesn’t have to be perfect. ✨ It doesn’t have to look pretty. ✨ It just has to acknowledge that it’s good for you.

⏳ Only 10 minutes? Yes. Only 10.

Because when you’re low on energy, sad, or disconnected, asking yourself for an hour of exercise becomes just another burden. But 10 minutes?

You can do that. You have that. And it can change EVERYTHING.

📍 Ideas to move without pressure: Walk inside your house. Get on your bike. Stretch on the floor.

Dance to your favorite song.

Do arm circles, jump in place, shake your body. Remember we have YouTube and we can learn everything. Discipline is cultivated.

Do it with music. Do it in silence. Do it with anger, with tears, with laughter… Do it.

💡 I recommend researching somatic exercise—it helps a lot with both the body and emotions.

🌱 You don’t have to be strong today. Just consistent. If today you couldn’t do it, it’s okay. Don’t punish yourself. Tomorrow is another day.

But if you can today, even just for 10 minutes… do it.

Your body is asking for it. Your soul already knows.

#recovery #depression #squarespace #personaldevelpment