According to reputable health sources, thinking of exercise in short, five-minutes-or-less increments can be a beneficial way to sneak mini-exercise breaks into your daily routine. Because let’s face it, finding a 60-minute chunk of time to dedicate to exercise in a daily routine can be daunting to downright impossible at times.

Many experts agree that even a short period of unplanned movement can have a positive impact on your health. Exercise can help reduce blood pressure and blood sugar. Exercise also elevates your mood by releasing endorphins, which can improve your spirits and reduce stress and anxiety. Since exercise increases blood flow and oxygen flow to your brain and other organs, it can improve cognitive function as well.

On a long call at work? Get up and do a few stretches or march in place. In line at the grocery checkout? Use the weight of your basket to do a few arm lifts, or hold the handle of the grocery cart and rise up and down on your toes. Or do some twists. You might raise some eyebrows, but you might also inspire someone else to realize there are tons of little periods of time in our day where we can fit in a mini exercise break. Even while watching TV, you can do a few core clenches or leg lifts.

Spontaneity is the best part of these mini workouts. Get creative — many of our daily activities are full of little pockets of time where you can sneak in a mini exercise break. Waiting for the water to boil is a great time to hold on to the counter and do some rapid toe rises or deep knee bends — but not too close to the stove.These mini exercise breaks are easier to fit into a busy schedule than an hourlong workout and can count toward the recommended 150 minutes of weekly moderate exercise (or 75 minutes if it’s vigorous). They can help reduce stress and improve your overall fitness and mental health throughout the day.