Have you ever had one of those days where your energy tank is on empty? Not the kind of empty that still has a minuscule amount of fuel barely puddling at the bottom. But rather, the completely dry, not even a drop-of-any-kind of empty? Of course you have. We ALL have. Most of the time we work so hard and give so much of ourselves that the thought of stopping for a break may seem unfathomable, a luxury even. It’s imperative, however, we practice self-care to prevent a mental and physical breakdown, and give ourselves time to rest.

Resting doesn’t necessarily involve taking a nap, although it could. Resting means giving your mind a break from all the minutia in your life.

Here are a few ways to recharge that could be useful in your life:

Meditate

Meditation can sound daunting and scary if you’ve never done it. Heck, even for those of us who have tried, it can still feel overwhelming. There are many free apps and other resources available to you that walk you through how to meditate. In its simplest application, meditation is just quieting of your mind so you can zero in on one thing at a time, like breathing. It’s a healthy way to find some calm focus in the chaos storm that is life.

Read A Book

Reading is a wonderful way to escape and give your mind a rest or help to redirect it. Allow your imagination to run free, by reading a fictional work. Or, choose a self-help topic that gives you insight into how to make improvements in your life. Whatever the topic, reading is imperative to keep your mind sharp and your juices flowing.

Take A Spa Day

Indulging in a spa day sounds relaxing. If you can afford it, great! But, if you don’t want to spend the money, why not have a spa day in the comfort of your own home? Enjoy a therapeutic bubble bath while listening to soothing music and breathing in the scent of aromatherapy candles. Prepare a healthy meal and binge watch your favorite show. Write in a journal. We all need to take a mental health day every once in a while, and a spa day is a great place to start.

Be Social

Don’t isolate yourself. When your mind needs a rest, call some friends or family and plan a social event. And if you’re not in the mood to socialize, plan a solo outing. Take yourself to the zoo or go to a movie. Even when you’re not interested in interacting with people, it can energize you to be out in the world.

There are endless possibilities, based on your personal circumstances and interests. When you discover what helps, write it down, so you’re ready the next time you need to recharge. You deserve it, so leave the guilt in the waste bin.

Life is too short to bury your head and drudge through life. Enjoy every step of the way, by giving yourself the gift of self-care. You, and those depending on you, will be happy you did!

What are your thoughts about resting? Do you feel guilty or accept that it’s necessary to practice self-care? Let me know in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you!