For many women, Sundays have become known as the day to recharge and prioritize self-care. This is understandable, considering that Sundays signify the start of a new week and the end of what may have been a long and demanding one.
You could even say that what you get up to on a Sunday sets the tone for the rest of the week, especially if you’re juggling multiple things at once.
So, I’ve given it some thought and explored different ways to recharge for free. Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to recharging. In fact, what works for me might not work for you, and that’s absolutely fine!
Feeling drained
Let’s be honest, we’ve all felt drained at some point in our lives. School drop-offs, early morning meetings, being stuck in traffic, and even those late-night brainstorming sessions can take their toll on you. As a result, you may end up fatigued and unmotivated to conquer the next day.
In some instances, feeling drained could impact your interactions with loved ones, your physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as possibly leave you feeling overwhelmed. This is why recharging is so crucial, it’s a way to refocus, relax and gain better control of your life again.
7 Ways to recharge
There’s a popular saying about how you can’t pour from an empty cup, which actually applies to everyday life when you think about it. The way I see it, you can’t be fully present and look after your family if you yourself are running on empty.
Recharging is a bit like putting gas in your car; in order for it to reach its destination, it needs to be fuelled up. Similarly, in order for you to perform optimally, you need to fuel your body in ways other than food.
You’d be surprised at some of the things you could turn to as a way to recharge. It doesn’t always have to be something extravagant. Whether you only have an hour to yourself, a whole afternoon, or the entire day, there’s always something you can do to recharge.
If you only have an hour to yourself
1. Put your phone and laptop away
Unpopular opinion – your phone and laptop may just be right up there on the list of your biggest stressors. These days, people pride themselves in how hard they work and romanticize burnout, which shouldn’t be the case. Staying away from your devices for even just an hour can leave you feeling refreshed and ready to face the rest of the day.
2. Listen to a podcast
I’m convinced that there’s a podcast on pretty much anything! Listening to a podcast can be both relaxing and informative. Oh, and another great thing is that you can probably find something you like to listen to while doing nothing but relaxing on your bed.
3. Call a loved one
This might seem like such a basic thing to do, but the benefits and joy you can get out of it are long-lasting. If you’re away on a business trip, giving your spouse or friend a quick call before starting the day can be the perfect pick-me-up!
If you have a whole afternoon
4. Bake a cake
This can be a really great creative outlet as well. Other than the baking aspect, decorating it can be fun and relaxing. It’s also something that you can do with your loved ones as a way to reconnect and recharge together.
5. Take a warm bath
Busy days often start and end with a quick shower. This is why taking a long warm bath can be a game-changer. You could take it a step further and make it a bubble bath, coupled with some candles or a good book so you can zone off into your own little world.
If you have the whole day
6. Painting
Some creatives and art enthusiasts believe that painting can help you turn negative feelings into positive ones. Painting can be therapeutic and allow you to express yourself visually. Bonus – your painting may just be good enough to become a decorative piece in your home.
7 Attend a class
Yoga, Pilates or meditation classes are some of the more popular options if you’re looking to unplug from the hustle and bustle. At the same time, it’s a great way to meet and connect with like-minded people that understand the importance of recharging as well.
DON’T Do This If You Want To Recharge
- Scroll through social media. Spacing out on your phone never leaves you recharged. In fact, it will probably make you feel worse for squandering your precious free time on looking at other people enjoying themselves.
- Dwell on past mistakes or problems. Spending more time than you should thinking about your stressors and areas of concern will only lead to a downward spiral. Your mentality is a key aspect of recharging.
- Binge on unhealthy food and drinks. Your diet also contributes to your overall wellbeing. So, consuming unhealthy food will probably leave you feeling worse off and not do much to improve your situation.
- Multitask. As a recovering multitasker, I know all too well just how damaging this can be to your relationships and overall wellbeing. Doing too many things at once and just living to tick things off a list can take away from the little pleasures of life. By multitasking, you’re only causing yourself to worry about a thousand things at once.
Read More: Stop Multitasking – My Secret to Happier Parenting With 6 Tips to Help
Special thanks to author: Sannie Nkosi is the founder of Four-Leaf Consulting. After a few years in journalism, she ditched the newsroom to write about things that really matter (like family, finances and travel). On a regular day, you can find her creating content, listening to podcasts, or engaging with small business owners.