If you are tired out from lots of socialising, take some alone time for calm, quiet and reflection. — dpa
You may feel worn out after a busy weekend of conversations and appointments, as though your social battery has run out.
“The more we move around in large groups, engage in conversations or are exposed to conflicts, the more our energy levels drop, similar to a smartphone battery when used frequently,” says Dr Steffen Häfner, medical director of a hospital in Germany’s Bad Saulgau and specialist in psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy.
Everyone feels exhausted after a lot of socialising, says British author Amy Arthur, whose book Pace Yourself: How to Have Energy in an Exhausting World is dedicated to the issue.
“The upper limit varies from one person to the next.”
Experts agree that everyone, even extroverts who often draw energy from social interaction, needs time out to recover.
“The key is to strike a balance between activity and relaxation,” says Dr Häfner.
Only by retreating, resting or engaging in relaxing activities can you recharge your social battery.
Good strategies for regeneration include:
- Restful sleep: Getting enough sleep is the basis for recharging your social battery.
- Exercise in nature: Walks help to recharge your inner battery.
- Creative activities: Painting, playing music or other creative activities have a relaxing and regenerating effect.
- Meaningful conversations: A good conversation in which you feel understood can also contribute to relaxation.
All these things help to recharge your inner battery in everyday life, Dr Häfner says.
Retreating is the most obvious method.
Being alone can help if it is the exchange and interaction with others that tires us, according to Arthur.
However, if social anxiety or depression makes being with other people so exhausting, being alone may also exacerbate the problems.
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And if you still feel exhausted despite rest and relaxation, this could be a sign of mental illness, Dr Häfner says.
People suffering from burn-out also report that they find it difficult to recover, even after long breaks, “like a smartphone plugged into a power outlet, but with a broken charging cable”.
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Warning signs that you should take seriously include:
- Permanent overload: The feeling of being permanently overwhelmed does not go away.
- Social withdrawal: You increasingly withdraw from social contacts.
- Lack of recovery: Even after breaks, you do not feel refreshed.
If you notice these signs or warning signals, it could be “that there is more to it than just everyday exhaustion”, says Dr Häfner.
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“In such cases, it is advisable to seek professional support”, and with help, work on strengthening your resources, mitigating stress reactions and finding a healthy balance between withdrawal and social activity again. – dpa
