Taking Time to Recharge Yourself

Is everyday life leaving you drained? In today’s fast-paced world, being busy seems like something to be proud of.

Between working all day, eating on the run, and having little time for fun and relaxation, it’s normal to feel exhausted at least some of the time. But always feeling worn-out isn’t healthy. It can also leave you less productive and less happy.

If you’re facing everyday exhaustion, it might help to take some steps to recharge your personal battery. Here are some ideas that may help you energize your mind and body.

Recharge yourself physically

Taking good care of your body can make it easier to recharge your mind. Being stressed can take a toll on your body, even if you don’t have a very physical job. You can help recharge your body with the following activities:

Take a warm bath

A warm bath can be relaxing. Try using Epsom salt in your bath. Epsom salt contains chemicals that are believed to remove toxins, improve muscle function, and reduce inflammation linked to stress.

Use an exfoliating scrub

Exfoliating scrubs can help recharge your body by improving blood circulation. Look for scrubs containing natural ingredients, such as oats or salt. Gently rub them onto wet skin and rinse off with warm water. Good circulation can help reduce your stress levels, boost your energy, and keep your body healthy.

Change your diet

Your energy levels are greatly impacted by your diet. Experts recommend a mix of complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains and starchy vegetables, with lean proteins and healthy fat at each meal.

Stretch

A stressed, exhausted body is more prone to injury than one that’s relaxed and healthy. You can help recharge by stretching your muscles for just five minutes every few days. Better yet, take a yoga class once or twice a week for a thorough stretch.

Exercise

When you’re very exhausted, it can be tempting to just sit in front of the TV after a long day. But that usually just makes you feel more tired.

Instead of sitting down to recharge, try getting up and moving around. Walking or biking — even just for 20 minutes — can leave you feeling energized for hours.

Aromatherapy

Scents such as lavender and sage are believed to be particularly relaxing to those under stress. Some aromatherapy essential oils can be mixed with a carrier oil and massaged directly onto the body, rubbed on the wrists or diffused into the air.

Get more sleep

Sleep is the ultimate body recharger. Experts recommend seven to nine hours of sleep per night for healthy adults ages 26 to 64. Getting fewer than six hours of sleep per night is a major risk factor for burnout at work.

Set up a healthy sleep schedule by going to sleep and getting up at the same time every day and following other healthy sleep habits.

Get regular rest

In between sleep and activity, it’s important to allow your body to rest. According to experts, 60- to 90-minute naps can be a great energy booster. If you feel yourself getting too busy, schedule a nap into your day to help you recharge.

Recharge mentally

When it comes to recharging your personal battery, it’s important to pay attention to your mind. Thinking about the things that stress us out often makes it harder to recharge. Here are some things you can do to soothe and energize your mind:

Make a list of your accomplishments

It’s common to feel like you can’t keep up or are not doing enough. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, sit down and jot down a short list of your accomplishments. This can give you motivation and energy to move forward.

Let go of past mistakes

A common source of stress comes from focusing on past mistakes. Help let go of the past by focusing on your goals for the future.

Do something fun

Having fun is an important part of staying mentally healthy. Taking a weekend trip, seeing old friends, or going out can help.

Take breaks from things and people that bring you down

If certain people or situations have you feeling down, take a break from them. This could mean putting certain relationships on hold until you have the energy to deal with them.

Spend time with close friends and family

Good people tend to radiate good energy. Recharge by spending more time with people who boost you up as opposed to those who bring you down.

Meditate or pray

Studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that meditation or prayer can help people find purpose in their lives if they feel down or stressed.

Avoid multitasking

Multitasking is a quick way to get stressed out. Instead of multitasking, which also makes you more prone to mistakes, try focusing on finishing one task at a time. Making a checklist can help you stay focused and keep track of what you’ve accomplished.

Take a break from technology

Others’ lives often seem “perfect” on social media, but they rarely are. Feeling like you have to live up to a certain expectation can be draining. Put social media on pause.

Do something artsy

Art is an excellent way to help soothe an exhausted mind. Take out some art supplies and draw or paint. Many bookstores also carry coloring books with complex patterns designed specifically as a stress reducer.

Write in a journal

Keeping a journal is a great way to help reduce stress by expressing your feelings. Try to write for at least five minutes a day, at the start or end of each day. Doing so can also help you sort through any problems you might be facing.

Why people feel drained sometimes

In most cases, exhaustion is caused by a busy or demanding lifestyle. Less often, exhaustion is caused by preexisting medical conditions that require treatment.

Most likely, your exhaustion is probably linked to:

• too much or too little physical activity
• jetlag or something else that confuses your circadian rhythm
• insomnia or lack of sleep
• medications such as antihistamines and cough medicine
• poor eating habits
• stress
• trauma
• drug or alcohol use

If you’ve tried the methods above but still feel exhausted all the time, you may want to consider seeing a doctor. They can check for any underlying medical conditions that could be making you feel drained.

Making small adjustments to your lifestyle can translate to significant reductions in your stress levels. Recharge your personal battery by taking care of yourself physically and mentally. See a doctor if you still feel drained after taking steps to recharge.