I took a day off, why am I still so tired?
Our lives have become so busy, that we so easily forget to take care of ourselves. We know we should be eating healthy foods and exercising more. We know we should go to bed, but instead we watch ‘just one more’ episode. We know we should read a book, but instead spend hours scrolling on our phones.
Add a little work stress, family problems or a period of ill health and before long we are feeling burnt out. What do we do now?
The answer is simple, but it’s not always easy.
Have you ever felt stressed or burnt out and took some time off but still found yourself feeling worse than before? It’s more common than you think.
It’s not enough to just unplug from the daily stressors. Like a phone that’s battery is only at 10% - sure, you can turn it off to preserve the battery life, but when you turn it back on it’ll still be at 10% or even lower. The battery needs to be physically recharged for it to work at the optimum level. It’s the same for us.
Unplugging occasionally is very beneficial for our mental health, but simply removing ourselves from stressful situations temporarily will not help us in the long run. We need to recharge as well.
Recharging requires connection. What that looks like will be different for everyone. For some, recharging means time alone surrounded by nature, deliberating seeking awe and connecting with something bigger than ourselves. For others it looks like quality time with loved ones, laughing and enjoying each others’ company. Some will seek the company of animals or get lost in a great book. For some, outdoor activities will light them up, and for others, they love nothing more than curling up in a cosy corner with a warm cup of tea and a roaring fire.
What are the ways you “plug in” and recharge? How often to you allow yourself the time and space to do these things?
When we know what lights us up, we can intentionally invite more of it into our daily lives.
I encourage you to think of one thing that will help you recharge - something small that you can do every day. Try to make it a non-negotiable that becomes a habit, just like brushing your teeth.
Lately, my daily recharge has been savouring my morning cup of tea in a beautiful tea cup that once belonged to my late Grandmother. The added bonus to this practise is, that while I take a moment to enjoy my tea, I also feel connected to my Grandmother. It’s just a little thing, but it helps me to start my day with gratitude and adds a little boost to my battery.
It doesn’t have to be a big thing. Start small and experiment with things you may not have done for a while. What did you love to do when you were a child? When was the last time you did it?
I’ve been thinking of this a lot lately. When I was a little girl, I was absolutely horse-mad. It was an obsession - my first true love was horses. I begged my parents daily to buy me one - I even once drew up plans (complete with measurements) to convert the garage into a stable! The compromise was to take me riding as often as we could. I absolutely loved everything about riding horses - it was thrilling and lit me up in a way nothing else had before. As the years passed, I started riding less and less and I’m sad to say that it’s been over 15 years since I last rode a horse. It might just be time to recapture a little of the magic little Jodie experienced every time she swung her leg over that saddle, and book myself a horse-ride. Wish me luck!
© 2024 Jodie Blewitt - meaningfulchangecounselling.com.au