Do you ever feel emotionally exhausted after too much social interaction? Relatable. In a world where unplugging is discouraged (fomo, anyone?) and staying connected is more valued than ever before, it’s no wonder your social battery runs out so fast. If this resonates, know you’re not alone. Alas, there are brands out there that truly care about your wellbeing and are actively promoting “me time” activities that restore your mental, spiritual, and emotional health. Let’s review the signs that indicate when your social battery is low, and how to refuel your capacity in ways that just might be even more fulfilling than socializing.

Signs of a low social battery

The effects of a low social battery signal to your mind and body you need to take a break from constant social interaction. Whether it’s one person you’re giving too much of your time and attention to or a calendar packed with back-to-back outings, here are some signs its time to tap out and recharge.

• Brain fog: When you start to feel drained and have difficulty staying focused on a single task or conversation, it’s probably a good idea to pull back.
• Emotional exhaustion: A decrease in your tolerance for small talk, unexplained agitation, or increased anxiety in social situations are signs you might want to sit the next event out.
• Low motivation: If you’re simply just not enjoying spending time with people or doing activities you normally enjoy, it’s time to put yourself on timeout.
• Physical fatigue: Headaches, migraines, and sleep disturbances are all indicators you need a break.

Even one of these symptoms is enough to justify scaling back your social activity. Alternatively, consider swapping out the events on your social calendar for some me time activities that allow you to relax, recharge, and reconnect with yourself.

“Me time” activities for when you need to recharge

Spending quality time with yourself is an often overlooked opportunity to hit refresh. These activities are the perfect antidote for when your social battery is running low, and might even rival socializing altogether.

Stream-of-consciousness journaling

How it works: Get out a journal and a pen, or open a new page in your digital notebook. Set a timer for your desired amount of time, 10-20 minutes should suffice for your first time.

As soon as the timer starts, write down everything that crosses your mind, regardless of whether it makes sense, feels important, or is grammatically correct. The point of this exercise is to get the thoughts spiraling inside your head out onto the page.

Practicing self-expression without stopping to edit or correct yourself is the ultimate form of release. What’s more, stream-of-consciousness writing brings mental clarity and increased self-awareness that encourages you to live in better alignment with the things you actually value.

Go outside

Exploring outdoors, even if it’s just taking a walk around your block, is one of the best activities you can do to ground yourself when you’re feeling fatigued or overwhelmed. Think of nature as a resource accessible to you 24/7- why would you not utilize this easy hack when your social battery is running low?

Going to a park, hiking in the woods, or taking a walk on the beach has an eerily calming effect that helps you reconnect with yourself and refreshes your perspective. It’s amazing what a little fresh air can do to uplift your mood and reduce emotional exhaustion.

Solo spa day

What we love about solo spa day is that you reap the same benefits whether you DIY it at home or go to an actual spa. Treat yourself to your own spa experience in the comfort of your own home; light some candles, run a warm bubble bath, put on a face mask, and play some meditation music. This ultimate form of self-care soothes your body and mind at the same time and thus, melts tension from social stress away in minutes.

Meditation

We’re sure we don’t need to remind you of the therapeutic benefits of meditation.

In a nutshell, mindfulness meditation helps you quiet the chatter of your internal narrative, process your emotions, reduces stress, and creates a psychological baseline for you to return to anytime you need. At Ladykind, we are fans of the famous box-breathing technique to help guide meditation sessions. However, there are many guided meditation apps and resources available if you feel you need more detailed support.

Try something new

Trying your hand at a new hobby can be riveting for your imagination and self-esteem. Hence why it’s such a great tactic for when you need to recharge. If you need some suggestions, we’d urge you to look into canvas painting, knitting, photography, or cooking a new recipe. YouTube is a great source of inspiration for arts and crafts, often using items you already have laying around at home.

Digital detox

Taking time to detox from digital media is important whether you are emotionally exhausted or not. In today’s world of unlimited connection, it can be all too easy to forget you have agency. Unplugging from social media and technology, even just for one day, will reduce anxiety, improve your mood, and help you focus on real-life experiences that actually matter.

If you take anything from this article, we hope you’ve realized that how you spend time with yourself matters. What’s more, quality “me time” entails so much more than just relaxation. Spending time getting in touch with yourself is absolutely essential.

When you don’t feel at peace in your own skin, it only reflects in your external efforts. In short, there’s no cutting corners. We promise these “me time” activities will have you so engrossed with yourself that turning them into daily habits will give your party plans a run for their money.

Your new recharge routine

If spending time with yourself feels unnatural, consider soliciting the help of a women’s health aid. Ladykind’s award-winning, hormone-balancing set of tinctures which includes the Rise Up Daily Mind Clearing Tincture and the Wind Down Nightly Mind Relaxing Tincture promote relaxation, hormone balance, and mental clarity to help you achieve optimal wellness from the inside out. Make the Rise & Rest set a staple in your nighttime routine for stress management and better sleep. Take 20% off with discount code RISEANDREST20 at checkout.