Learn to Recharge When You’re Running on Empty

In today’s frenzied and unpredictable world, it’s easy to feel rundown before the day’s even half over. We absorb stress all too easily into our mind, muscles and ultimately our circulatory system, where it can do tremendous damage that may shorten your life.

We all need, at times, to step back from the barrage of to-dos and bad news and find ways to hit “refresh.”

This can minimize or even reverse the toxic effects of stress and anxiety, especially if you use these opportunities to teach yourself how to better handle them in the future.

Find time to recharge, somewhere in your day or week, with self-care activities like these:

REST

Prioritize your sleep, train your brain to rest through meditation or prayer, say “no” to demands you don’t have time to fulfill, learn deep breathing exercises that can be done during the day, take short naps, or plan a long, warm, relaxing bath before bed.

WORK OUT

Exercise is a fantastic way to release pent-up stress by infusing your brain with endorphins, which elevate your mood and help you stay focused. The physical benefits of exercise also make your body more resilient to the effects of stress. So find time on most, if not all, days of the week for a yoga class, HIIT session, invigorating jog or lifting weights.

STEP OUTSIDE OF YOUR BOX

Go to an event or class (in-person or virtual) you wouldn’t normally attend, visit “touristy” areas you’ve avoided in the past, or pick up a hobby you’ve always wanted to try. Finding enjoyable and educational ways to get out of your comfort zone lets you forget workaday problems and find pathways to growth.

GIVE TO OTHERS

Yes. Helping those in need will recharge you as well. It can remind you both of how fortunate you really are and that you’re far from alone in your suffering. It brings you into a social network and reduces your feelings of isolation. On top of that, it helps your neighbors! Volunteer for a shelter, social services nonprofit, sports league, fundraising event or another charitable group, and give a friend a helping hand.