By Melissa Williams

No, you don’t have to drop to the floor and give us ten push-ups, although that might be just what you need! Research has shown that taking breaks during the day can amp up your metabolism, improve your concentration and make you a happier person to be around. Ready to take ten? Here are the best picks for you.

Got a Craving?
Take ten minutes and step outside for a brisk walk. Studies have shown that taking a brisk walk may help people resist the urge for that bag of M&Ms when cravings (caused by boredom or energy slumps) strike.

Losing Your Cool?
Take ten minutes and breathe. Turn off the cell phone and take a time-in. If like many of us, you find meditation to be challenging at best, spend your time watching your breath. You can even say silently to yourself, “inhale, exhale”, keeping your mind focused on the breath and not the to-do list that would otherwise run rampant in your head.

Worried or Stressed?
Drop to the floor. Yep, those push-ups may pay off when it comes to dealing with stress. Evidently, making our bodies work hard in a way that demands full concentration can help alleviate excess stress circulating through the body. A strong yoga pose, like crow (bakasana) could also do the trick.