With our fast paced lives, and the search for the ever mysterious work-life balance, exhaustion and burn out have become a norm in our society. Personally, I am starting to think that finding a purple unicorn is more likely than a work life balance, and understand the concept of burn out. How do you handle it though? How do you re-energise yourself after a day of juggling life? These tips may not be for everyone, but they have worked for me, and perhaps they could give you that boost of energy that you need to get through the week.
1. Get moving
Whether it’s going for a run, a cycle, a swim or taking a leisurely stroll through a park, get yourself moving. It will get your blood pumping, release endorphins and hopefully give you the energy boost that you need. When I feel a loss of energy I put on my running shoes and hit the road. Running for me has become an activity that allows me to de-stress and for a few kilometres focus on nothing more than me and the road. Even on the hardest runs, I feel more energised than I started. Choose an activity that you enjoy, and start noticing the differences.
2. Reflect
It is so easy to look at all the things that went wrong or not the way we expected them to, and feel exhausted by it. Take 5 or 10 minutes from your day to really think about your day, and pay attention to all the things that are in the back of your mind that went right. We tend to focus so much on the negative, that even when those things didn’t make up the majority of our day, they have taken up so much of our energy that we end up feeling drained. In those few minutes of reflection, focus on all the positives, and you will probably shrug your shoulders and think that the day wasn’t all that bad.
3. Stay rested and hydrated
I can’t stress these two points enough. Even to myself. I am very guilty of not allowing my body to rest enough and sometimes allow it to de-hydrate a little. I have become more conscious of it and make an effort to ensure that I never get less than 7 hours during the week. I aim to get 8 hours on weekends to ensure my body rejuvenates properly. I know it’s not easy, especially when you have kids and your alone, or grown-up time starts after they go to bed. If you have a habit of going to bed late, try with going to bed early just one night a week and see the benefits that it has for you. Don’t forget the H2O. It will help keep your energy levels up, and get you through the day.
4. Laugh
Watch a funny movie, or phone a friend who you can have a good laugh with. Allowing yourself that time of laughter brings energy to your body. When my energy level start to decrease I phone or message a friend with whom I banter, have a light-hearted conversation with and laugh. A deep, belly laugh. It feels as though that laughter shoots sparkles of energy through my body.
5. Have the chocolate and drink the wine
And on some days that is all you need. A little vice. For me, it is a little bit of chocolate, and enjoying a glass wine. It is my time to recharge my batteries and on certain occasions it is all that I need to get the boost I need to get through the rest of the situation, day or week.
Happy re-charging.
Originally published at medium.com