It happens to all of us at one point or another, even in the most unexpected cases (work, event, party), so it's time to talk about the "social battery".
"Everyone has a 'social battery', which is used to measure the energy we have to interact with others," says Alexandra McNulty, psychotherapist specializing in mental conditions and illnesses. According to her, everyone has a certain capacity for social interactions, which can be affected by different factors.
To understand if your "social battery" is running out, you should notice these signs:
You don't want to talk anymore
He only thinks about a long vacation
You are not yourself with the people around you
Thinks when the work/holiday hours will end
Instead of interacting with others, you sit in a corner and scroll through TikTok
You get anxious when you think about talking to others
You don't care about the activities that are going on
You feel bad even when you say just one word
Everything irritates you
You have physical pain such as: headache or back pain
You have no energy
You want to go home as soon as possible
You want to cry
These are the signs that your "social battery" is dead and you'd just do anything to go home, lie in bed and recharge.
What to do when your "social battery" has run out?
When you realize that the "social battery" is over, it is best to go to the toilet, work on your breathing, do some stretching. Of course, drink water and get fresh air.
Remember that you need enough time between events to take time for yourself and take care of your desires.
Prioritize activities that recharge you – Which means you can binge watch a movie on Netflix, meditate, cook, and do things that help you get back on track.
Look closely at the people around you - Maybe they steal your energy and are among the reasons why your "social battery" runs out?
Put up barriers – If you're not going to an event, you might as well tell people you're not going. That's it. If you're not feeling well, it's not worth the effort and pretending to be enjoying yourself.
Feel your emotions - What are you feeling at the moment when your "social battery" runs out? Anxiety, guilt, fear, embarrassment? Name your sensations, experience them and take the time to process them.
