With everything going back to somewhat of a new ‘normal’, it is safe to say that notifications with invitations are piling up. If you have stayed inside for almost a year, it is normal to feel the need to say yes to each and every invite. However, sometimes, it’s possible to over-book yourself and end up feeling like you need some downtime to recharge. Unfortunately, recharging your social battery is not as easy as charging your phone — we certainly don’t have a cable and port to get our social battery to 100%. So what do you do when you feel drained and need to ‘recharge’? Thankfully, you don’t need to rack your brain or feel lost! Below is a list of what you can do to recharge your social battery!
1. Breathe and Meditate
I know that breathing is something that comes easy for most of us and it is not something we really pay much attention to, but breathwork has been known to improve mental and physical health and can leave you feeling calm and refreshed.
Apps such as Headspace and Calm are known for sharing meditation and breathing exercises or you can load up a YouTube video to follow along.
Make sure you’re alone in a room or space that you feel comfortable in and get yourself settled down. There are no rules and no ‘right way’ to meditate. Simply follow along to a video, podcast, or follow what your body says and do what feels right.
2. Do a Digital Detox
I realize it’s 2021 and every day, it seems harder and harder to go about your day without using some sort of technology. Hear me out though — a digital detox is not only still very possible but it can be extremely rejuvenating. There are many ways to do this and it can be as simple as starting with hiding your phone in a drawer for a few hours or days. It may be challenging at first, but with each passing moment, you begin to notice the little things that you may not have noticed before. Doing this can help you not only see the bigger picture but understand yourself a bit better, too. Since technology is such a big part of our lives, it can be hard to get this whole process started but reading articles on doing a digital detox can help you figure out how to go about it.
3. Create a Self Care Routine
There is nothing more calming and refreshing than taking care of yourself and making yourself feel loved, clean and beautiful! The first step when it comes to self-care is removing anything harmful and negative from your surroundings. This can be your phone, any work or schoolwork, or any disturbing noises.
After that, the routine is all up to you! You can watch your comfort show, listen to music, make your own face masks, take a long shower, eat a bunch of comfort food, or change up your hair and look! The decision is all yours.
4. Cook or Bake
We may not all be masters in the kitchen but the point of cooking or baking in order to recharge is not to end up with a perfect finished product. Instead, it’s all about having fun during the process!
Put some music on, get a recipe out, and get excited and cook or bake something delicious. If you’re feeling nostalgic, you could even whip up a favorite meal or treat from your childhood.
Not in the mood for a grocery store trip? You could also get a free trial to companies like Blue Apron or HelloFresh to use their ingredients and follow along with their recipes!
Either way, remember the goal is to have fun and enjoy the process of creating something.
5. Spend All Day Inside
Often, a part of why our social batteries get drained is because we go out often and feel the need to act a specific way in certain surroundings. Doing this every day can leave you feeling drained and even a little lost and confused. What’s the quick and effective fix? Stay inside all day, for just a day (or more, depending on what you’re comfortable with.)
Make your home your favorite place and create a calming, relaxing atmosphere.
If this isn’t possible and you have roommates or family living with you, go to your favorite location. This can be a coffee shop, restaurant, mall, or any place that makes you comfortable. If you’re feeling spontaneous and have the means, you could check yourself into a hotel or motel for the day!
Spend this time watching movies, making food, catching up on gossip and news, cleaning up, and relaxing!
6. Clean and Rearrange Your Space
When it comes to relaxing, cleaning and rearranging objects is probably the last thing on your to-do list. However, once you start getting to it, you’ll realize what a big effect your surroundings have on you.
Having not only a clean environment, but a newly rearranged environment will also have you feeling refreshed and motivated. It’s almost as if with a new environment, there is a new you!
You can change the layout of your room and let yourself get creative with it or you can clean out that messy drawer that’s been bothering you for some time. Either way, cleaning or rearranging your space can give you a peace of mind and leave you feeling a little more ready to be yourself again!
7. Journal
Being socially drained can leave you feeling confused and overwhelmed, making it hard to think straight or clearly. While there are many ways to help this, journaling is one thing that can help you get your thoughts in order. Even if you’ve never journaled before, all you have to do is grab a book or even open Word Document/ Notes app and start writing as though you’re speaking to yourself or some higher power that you may believe in. Do not filter yourself or edit what you’re thinking. Simply spill out plain and raw thoughts and feelings. By the time you’re done, you may feel as though you can finally take a big sigh and breathe again.
8. Take Yourself Out on a Solo Date
Sometimes we feel drained easily — not because we’re spending too much time in social settings — but because we aren’t spending enough time with our own selves. Plan a little date with yourself, and only you! This could be anything ranging from taking yourself out for a meal, going out bowling yourself, going to the zoo, museum, or any place you have wanted to go. The key element to this is going by yourself, so as long as you do that, it does not matter what you do. Just make sure you have fun!
This list is only a suggestion and not each one works for everyone. It is always important to know to be patient with yourself and go with what works for you and your own social battery!
Featured photo by @sophiafujimaki
