by Danielle Rose Allen
Have you ever felt like you just can’t get out of bed in the morning, let alone face the day ahead? If so, it’s possible that your emotional battery is running on empty. That’s right, we all have an emotional battery, and it operates just like your phone battery – in order to function properly, it needs to be charged. Let’s take a closer look at what your emotional battery is, how it works, and why charging it regularly is so important!
What on Earth is an Emotional Battery?
Before you can start charging up your emotional battery, you need to understand what it is. Your emotional battery is like a power bank that provides energy to deal with your emotions, thoughts, and actions. It’s what gives you the ability to manage day-to-day stress, maintain relationships, and keep your mind and body in top shape. However, just like a power bank, if your emotional battery is drained, you’ll find yourself lacking energy to navigate life’s demands.
What are the culprits that drain this emotional battery, you might ask? Interpersonal conflicts, job stress, loss and grief, and the resulting negative emotions that accompany these types of situations can all be major factors in draining our batteries. Lack of sleep, poor health, and burnout can also contribute to a depleted emotional battery.
On the other hand, positive experiences and emotions can have a rejuvenating effect. A promotion at work, achieving a goal, spending time with a close friend, or getting a hug from your child can all help to replenish your energy reserves.
Take Charge and Recharge!
Now that we’ve covered what an emotional battery is and how it gets drained, it’s time to recharge that bad boy! Here are a few suggestions:
- Treat Yo Self: The ultimate way to recharge your battery is to indulge in some intentional self-care! Whether it’s relaxing in a bubble bath, binging your favorite show, or going for a long walk outside in nature, taking care of yourself is a great way to recharge your emotional battery.
- Laugh It Out: Laughter is the best medicine, so why not give yourself a reason to chuckle? Watch a funny movie, buy tickets to a stand up comedy show, or just schedule some time to hang out with your funniest friend. Laughing releases endorphins, can help reduce stress, and will give your emotional battery a little extra juice.
- Get Your Zen On: Mindfulness and meditation are excellent ways to practice staying present and recharge your emotional battery. Set aside a few minutes each day to focus on your breath, clear your mind, and just be. By regularly practicing mindfulness, even for just a few minutes at a time, you can improve your emotional regulation skills and reduce stress.
- Don’t Let Your Emotional Battery Die! If you’re still not convinced that your emotional battery requires regular charging, let’s explore the consequences that may arise if you don’t. The effects of running on an uncharged emotional battery can be significant, and should not be taken lightly. You may find yourself bottoming out and experiencing severe burnout, depression, or anxiety. You might notice you’re making poor decisions, struggling to focus, neglecting important relationships and tasks, or snapping easily and lashing out at your family and friends.
As you can see, your emotional battery is your lifeline. In order to operate at full capacity, you must recharge your battery regularly. You’ll feel happier, healthier, and successful when you give regular attention to your self-care. Wondering how to hold yourself accountable and be consistent? Make sure to develop a plan that is realistic and takes into account your schedule, commitments, and specific life circumstances. Then write it down where you’ll see it regularly and ask someone to hold you accountable to help ensure that you stick to your new habits until they become automatic.
We mentioned a few self-care ideas that you can use to charge up your battery, but there are an infinite number of possibilities for your to explore! Take a close look at your own life to understand what will bring you the most joy and keep fueled up for the demands of life! And be open to GUIDE-ance from professional resources, and your loved ones. Once you have a sustainable self-care plan in place that you feel good about, you’ll be running on a full battery in no time!