Take care of your personal “battery”

Would you like to achieve great results and still feel full of energy? There is an easy solution: Take care of your personal battery.

It is a very common error of us human beings to recharge our energy and rest after experiencing significant intensity or levels of stress (eg. after completing all the important tasks or a huge week). We say “I will only finish… and then I take a break”. Or “now is an intense time but after that I will take a holiday”. If this is an exception, and you feel good with it, then that’s fine. And yes, there are certain moments and circumstances, where it all comes together. But is this your norm? Do you feel you are always pushing your body to its limit?

In order to achieve physical, emotional and mental wellbeing, it’s crucial to adopt a proactive approach to self-care and charge your battery regularly (eg. when it’s at 30-40%) or even beforehand, when you know you need a high energy level the next day. Just the way you do it with your phone.
Don’t let your battery get to 0%.
The benefit? When your level of energy is more balanced –> concentration, efficiency and creativity improves.

How do you create the space to recharge your energy regularly?
You “plan” your self-care moments just like you plan all your professional projects, tasks, milestones.

First of all: What do you really love doing? What and who gives you the most energy?
How about…

• that sport or physical practice you love and where you come out (of class) feeling like a new person.
• that day with your loved ones sharing a fun activity, spending quality time together.
• that cultural experience you have been talking about for months and it makes you happy the moment you buy the tickets.
• that artistic project (drawing, music, creating, …) or game you love to spend hours with, whenever you (finally) have some free time.
• that person you can have an honest chat, reflect on life, laugh and cry with. If you can’t connect in person, connect on the phone.
• that book, podcast or movie you have already prepared for your next relaxing holiday. Why not enjoy it on your day off?
• time for yourself, to just be (and maybe to practice mindfulness: observe your thoughts, focus on your breath, observe your surroundings, feel the sun on your skin, enjoy nature, have a healthy meal, live in the moment.)

Whatever comes to your mind –> please create the time for it right now. This is your moment to take your calendar and plan the slot.
(If you still need inspiration, maybe this article can help: https://littlehealthyhabits.com/how-to-become-aware-of-your-needs/)

Take a calendar week that is still completely free:

1. Put in your work schedule / the time slots that don’t depend on you. Be careful: In what time slots do you really have no choice?
2. Put in your favourite activities/moments in your calendar, at least 2-3 energy chargers during your work week and especially on your weekend/days off.
3. Plan breaks every day. Whatever personal situation you are in, please make sure you find at least a few minutes every (few) hour(s).
4. Fill the calendar with the rest of your (household) duties. Ask yourself: What is really absolutely necessary this week?

It might seem difficult but I promise you: After years of excuses and struggles, I have learnt that I have choice over my time.
Please keep practicing, keep changing your calendar until it makes you happy. The good news is: You have choice over your time.

One last thing: To take care of your personal battery also means to act according to it. On a day where you feel like 50% (for whatever reason), it’s OK to only give 50%. Try to do something that makes you feel good during a break or in the evening and recharge your energy over night. And maybe the next day you have more energy again. Stop pushing. Feel your body. You are a human being, not a machine.