Most of us are good at keeping our phones fully charged. We have a plethora of leads, plugs, adaptor etc to ensure we can top up, wherever we are. And just in case, we probably carry a fully charged battery pack.
But are we good are we at keeping ourselves well charged? We also need lots of energy – in a variety forms – to keep us up and running and feeling good.
– Do we know what type of energies we need ?
– How often do we stop and check our levels?
– Do we know how and where to plug in and top up ?
Or do we simply plough on regardless – heroically battling through the stresses and demands of life, until we are depleted and running on empty? Only to collapse in a heap, stressed out and exhausted, reaching for whatever relief we can find. Until finally we stop functioning, burn out or break down.
Of course we are far more complex than our phones – because we have thoughts, feelings and emotions as well as a wide range of personal applications !
We can be physically drained by being on our feet or due to loss of sleep. We can be mentally drained by overwork, with too many things to think about and juggle.
But its usually the emotional challenges which really gets to us – criticism, opposition, competition, being let down, overwhelm, loss of confidence, to name just a few drains.
To manage all of this we need to seriously look after our bodies, minds and emotions, and make sure we are always well-charged up.
The energies we need as humans– come in many forms. Every challenge requires the appropriate energy. A positive to resist, overcome and replace the negative.
Peace in place of anxiety. Calm in the place of mayhem. Ease instead of pressure. Strength rather than fragility. Confidence in the place of self-doubt. Reflection instead of reaction. Downtime in place of activity. Freedom rather than commitments.
So where and how can we plug in a recharge? I asked this question to a group on Saturday. There was a wide range of answers – the solutions are very personal.
We were out on a walk in Edale, and we all agreed that being outside, in nature, brings an almost automatic sense of calm and raises our perspectives above our day-to-day issues.
As of course does walking – or any exercise. The links between physical health and mental health are well proven.
Good sleep is a vital recharge. We all know how fragile and grumpy we can feel when we haven’t slept well.
Others mentioned listening to music, journaling, reading, play, dance, cooking, painting, cold-water swimming, gardening, even tidying up or just watching a movie.
Any form of “me time”, indulgence, or quality conversation recharges.
All ways of slowing down, chilling, opening our minds, off-loading, parking the day-to-day. Repairing, replenishing and recharging.
We have to make our recharge times intentional – and often enough to keep physically, mentally and emotionally topped up.
How, when and where will you plan yours?
Unwrapping The World 