Rethinking Recharging

I spent some time this weekend visiting friends and family who live in the woods. It was a last minute invitation and I drove 2 hours to get to this hidden gem in the forest. It was rainy and there were dogs everywhere and the company and the conversation were just what my soul needed. It got me thinking about this idea of recharging our batteries and how we might be missing opportunities.

I tend to think that “recharging” has to be a whole event- I have to plan something, go somewhere, make it official. But the fact is that most of us aren’t a position to take time off work or take a lavish getaway vacation. And for those able to do so, how often does that realistically happen? Once a year at the beach? It’s not good enough.

If we can get tuned in to the things that feed our souls, we will see countless small ways to tap into them. And multiple small charges can collectively work at least as well as one big charge- and maybe even better! We can use the time and the resources that we have to support our self-care and give us the mental energy we need to tackle life.

Maybe you can only squeeze in a 20 minute nap or rest. Maybe you can sit in the sun for 5 minutes before you head into work. Keep a calming scent at your desk that you can use when you need to mentally regroup for a few moments. Become mindful of how various experiences affect your state of being. For me, petting my animals has that effect.

You probably already know of things that recharge your batteries. But in our busy and chaotic world, we often have to work to be mindful of it. When you are petting your dog or lying in the sun, try to be in that moment, with no distractions. Quiet your mind and feel the warmth and the light and feel it filling you. Really sit in that moment, for as long as you are able. or if it’s a walk, pay attention to your muscles and the breeze and the way the movement makes you feel.

It will get easier with practice, and soon you will be able to recharge more with even a small amount of time. I currently work in a nursing home, and it can get stressful. But I can recharge for 10 seconds as I hold a person’s hand and feel how it makes them feel. Or while listening to people laugh about something. It literally boosts my mood and keeps me going.

So let’s rethink our recharging. How can we thrive in the midst of the things we cannot control?