Don’t you just love M&Ms(r)? They are a tiny little taste of sweetness.

One of the coaching techniques I use with clients is to have them create a list of 10 delicious daily habits. This list is ten little ways they’ll indulge themselves on a daily basis with the intent to refill the energy tank every day by bringing an influx of joy and appreciation into the now.

I noticed the quantity of M words that apply to this concept, so I have made a list of 10 May M&M’s you will benefit from and, hopefully, find fun.

1. Meditation: Studies are showing that even five minutes of quieting of the mind chatter can bring more focus to your work. Studies are showing health benefits such as lower blood pressure, increased immune system and ability to handle stress. Resources for this include the May 2004 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine which has an informative article about meditating for non-meditators, or The Three Minute Meditator: 30 Simple Ways to Unwind Your Mind and Enhance Your Emotional Intelligence by David Harp and Nina Feldman.

2. Movie: Take a break in the middle of the day and go see a movie with someone you care about.

3. Massage: It feels great and the health benefits of this extend past the treatment. When your body sheds tension, your mind functions more effectively and more oxygen flows to your brain.

4. Mindfulness: Take 2 or 3 mini-timeouts during the day to just appreciate the fact you are still above ground and have all that you do have. Stop all internal conversations about the unfairness of a circumstance you can’t change or a worry about something that might happen in the future. See that right now, in this moment, you have everything you need. A book you might enjoy to expand this thinking is Practicing The Power of Now by Eckert Tolle.

5. M&M’s-Eat 10: A quick chocolate fix that will also benefit others: Look for the pink ones that are donating a portion of the cost to Breast Cancer Research.

6. Mother: Whether you have one or you are one, May is the traditional time to recognize Mothers. Do something special for a mother today. How about each day of May sending a note or making a call to let a mother know the positive difference she has made. (You might even get a referral!)

7. Music: Start your day with a piece of music that inspires you. You can turn it up loud and dance or just close your eyes and drift! This wakes up your creative brain.

8. Magazine: Pick up something you wouldn’t normally read to expand your world view. Stretch your thinking by reading something that doesn’t fit your beliefs or knowledge base. Maybe a radical political magazine or a something like Fast Company, The Economist or PC Magazine.

9. Memories: Spend a few minutes each day thinking about the times you’ve been most successful in life. Make a list for the month so at the end, you have 30 different times you have been triumphant. Reminding your brain of your wins will cause an expectation of more.

10. Movement: Whether it is structured exercise or just a conscious effort to walk or move more. The more you move, the more oxygen goes to your brain. Adults should take a movement break at least every hour to work at peak efficiency.

Give yourself some delicious nurturing, indulgence and delight every day and notice if you feel ready to take on everything that it will take to achieve your goals for this year.

When we are very busy or stressed, I find we often stop doing the very things that could ameliorate the situation, like exercise, taking care of yourself first, meditation or even getting coaching. Gandhi said, “The more I have to do, the longer I need to meditate.” This month, when you feel stressed, stop and have some M&M’s.

Published: May 20, 2004

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Joeann Fossland GRI, LTG, MCC is a dynamic speaker and business coach. Creator of THE REAL ESTATE GAMETM, she provides coaching solutions enhance your effectiveness and life balance. You can subscribe to her free monthly newsletter, attend free monthly telephone seminars, and find out about classes delivered by email and personal coaching by visiting JoeAnn.com or e-mail her at .