Explore re-energizing activities that uplift your spirits and renew your vitality
In a world where life always feels like it’s go-go-go, it can be hard to find the time and space to settle down, reflect, and rebuild your energy. That’s why it’s important to be intentional about how you spend your “free time” — and by free, we mean any blocks of time where you aren’t actively engaged with a task related to your goals.
It’s easy to fill your day with distractions, feeling like you don’t have any free time to spare. But when you take out the re-energizing activities that squander your time (hello, mindless social media scrolling), you’ll find that you do have time to spare — even if it’s ten minutes here or an hour there.
If you’re ready to reclaim your schedule and find more flow in your days, consider adopting these energy-boosting re-energizing activities to keep you in alignment and prevent burnout.
There are few better ways to reflect and gain new perspectives than a good, old-fashioned journaling session! Not only does journaling allow us to keep our minds clear, but it also serves to help us work through difficult thoughts and emotions that may be hard to voice out loud.
Grab a journal that brings a smile to your face, and start letting out what’s on your mind. If the words aren’t flowing, here are a few prompts to get you started:
Journaling can be a deeply sensory experience, and it might bring up unexpected feelings as you explore the vast expanse of your mental and emotional landscape. Allow yourself to feel it all so you can process and move forward with a new perspective.
Most people fall into one of two categories: those who can’t live without their daily workout and those who would rather not break a sweat. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, accept that exercise is not just good for you but great.
You see, life is stressful. There are no two ways around that. Unfortunately, there’s little we can do to remove certain stressors in our lives. You can’t change the fact that your job requires demanding hours or that your kids are always looking for more time with Mama. But what you can do is release all of that stress so you can show up for your kids, partner, job, and yourself.
We often view stress as an emotional reaction — and it is. But what many people don’t realize is that stress is also physical. Clenched jaws, tight shoulders, headaches, and other discomforts are signs of stress manifesting in the body. And the only way to release that tension? Yep. Exercise.
Now, you don’t have to train for a marathon or become a competitive weightlifter to close out the stress cycle. Letting go of physical tension in your body simply requires you to move. Set aside 20-30 minutes per day to move in a way that brings you joy. It could be a brisk walk around the neighborhood, a dance session with the kids, or a quiet meeting with your yoga mat. Just move.
Who doesn’t love a good book? As children, many of us relished the opportunity to escape to faraway lands and immerse ourselves in the stories of fictional characters. But over time, life starts to take over, and we simply don’t make time for intentional reading.
You may be thinking, “Well, I just read a motivational self-help book last week!” Or maybe business books are your jam. That’s wonderful! But when we talk about re-energizing activities, we’re focusing on experiences that fill you with joy, creativity, and enthusiasm — for example, reading for pleasure. That’s right — it’s time to pick up that fiction habit again!
Whether you’re a fan of historical fiction epics, sci-fi novels, or steamy romances, find a book that draws you in from the moment you see it. (Yes, we’re giving you permission to judge a book by its cover!) Visit your local library, ask friends for suggestions, or search for a favorite book on Amazon and see the similar items they recommend. Then, set aside moments of the day that you know you’ll be able to read uninterrupted. If you can only squeeze in ten minutes to start, do it!
We find that most women prefer to read either first thing in the morning or right before bed. However, you may find that it’s a great way to spend lunchtime, or you might realize you’re more of an audiobook-while-walking-the-dog person. Find what works for you and stick with it!
Raise your hand if you get enough sleep on a consistent basis. No hands? Anyone? That’s what we thought. A majority of people are working on a sleep deficit, and, unfortunately, it becomes such a long-term problem that we don’t even realize when we need more sleep. We just think that brain fog, lack of focus, and crankiness is part of being human.
Nope! When we sleep, our bodies heal on every level. By shutting off your active mind, your body redirects your energy to repair cells, process feelings, organize thoughts, and reset your system. That’s why there’s no better feeling than waking up refreshed after a good night of sleep! It’s also why we feel so awful when running low on sleep and relying on caffeine for a jolt of energy.
Most people lose out on sleep because of external factors — not because they aren’t tired. They wake up before dawn to get a head start on the day. They push themselves to work overtime to meet deadlines at work. They stay up late to spend time with their partner after the kids go to bed.
That’s why napping should be an essential part of your self-care toolbox! Of course, realistically, you won’t be able to nap every day. (If you can, let us know your secret!) But when you find spare time in your schedule, consider laying down for some shut-eye instead of turning on your favorite Netflix show. Your mind and body will thank you for catching up on that valuable sleep and allowing them time to heal!
You can’t harness your energy without a space that flows. Visual clutter disturbs your peace and distracts you from what truly matters. So that overflowing pantry that is undoubtedly filled with expired food? It’s time to address it. The same goes for the under-sink cabinet fully stocked with skincare products you purchased with good intentions but didn’t really like.
“I don’t even notice that stuff anymore!”
While this may be true on the surface level, your subconscious mind definitely notices. It’s reminded of the disarray every time you’re surrounded by clutter — and not just in those areas, but in your life as a whole. There is no peace where there is a mess.
Pick a spot in your home that could use some extra love and give it your full attention. If time is not on your side, start small! A drawer here and a bin there add up, so it may be a matter of setting aside 15 minutes every day to declutter a different area.
Not only will you get the benefits of a clean and calming space, but you’ll also get the satisfaction and confidence that comes with caring for your home and accomplishing a task. There are no drawbacks here!
If you’re having trouble prioritizing these re-energizing activities in a space shared with other sometimes-noisy, sometimes-messy humans, we recommend investing in a Granny Flat Brisbane to create a retreat and claim space that is only for you. (Sounds like a dream, right?) Get in touch with us to learn more about our cabins and how we can help you establish meaningful boundaries for your self-care.
At Timber Garden Cabins, we understand the importance of having space to live. Whether it’s a backyard cabin to pursue your passions, or a granny flat for a loved one or rental tenant to call home, our European-made timber cabin kits give you all the space you need.
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