Low Battery: How to Socially Recharge
POV: You're not at home and your phone battery is at 20%. What do you do?
Some people use their phone battery until it’s completely drained to 0%. If you're like me, you might keep a charger in your purse or car (or both) and scan the room for a wall plug if your phone battery is weak, because you know how limited your time will be before it dies. The more apps open in the background, the quicker it depletes so you might attempt to preserve your battery by closing your apps.
POV: You're invited to dinner with friends Friday evening and want to go, but lowkey don’t because you were already looking forward to bumming on the couch after a long week.
Would you suck it up and go anyway, or would you politely decline? There’s no right or wrong answer, but your decision may likely be influenced by whether or not you have the energy to get off the couch.
What could drain my social battery?
Being “booked and busy”- A full calendar often leads to an empty social battery. If you're unaware of your energy, you may unknowingly give all of your battery juice to work, school, or your family before having any for yourself or your friends.
Overcommitting to extracurricular activities- Sometimes wearing too many hats can be socially and emotionally draining, especially when each title demands something different from you.
Inconsistent sleep schedule- Lack of consistent adequate rest affects one’s mood, health, and decision-making skills.
Okay, so how do I recharge socially?
Check-in with your emotions after days that require a lot of battery power. How do you feel, and why? Journal about it and put your thoughts on paper (or an app).
Do something small for yourself first as soon as you can. Yes, this includes sitting in the car in silence for a minute after work.
Look before you commit. Be intentional about assessing your social battery before you commit to anything else that may mentally or emotionally drain you.
Practice mindfulness before transitioning to another activity. - On a “booked and busy” day, take a moment to connect with your mind and body before jumping into the second meeting of the morning, or before switching gears to homework mode after making dinner.
With my clients, I encourage them to practice mindfulness by checking their senses:
What are you physically feeling, and where? Roll your shoulders if they feel tense. Take a deep breath if your stomach feels tight.
Pay attention to the sounds around you to help keep you grounded in the moment and prepare yourself mentally before your next activity.
What scents do you smell that typically calm you down? Not everyone likes eucalyptus or lavender, and that’s okay! Whatever scent takes you to your own “happy place.”
What type of touch will help you ground yourself mentally and check your social battery?
When last have you tasted something? Seriously. Inconsistent eating patterns can contribute to spikes in blood sugar, which causes moodiness, also known as being “hangry.”
When my social battery is recharged, I have the capacity to show up as my best self emotionally and socially, which restores the healthy work-life balance I aspire to maintain and coach others to do as well!
What does it feel like when you're socially at 20%, and how do you recharge? Comment below!