How to recharge your batteries

How to recharge your batteries?

There are a lot of reasons why we, teachers, might feel exhausted, emotionally drained, or reach the point of burnout. First, we socialize a lot, sometimes almost non-stop. Second, we take responsibility. Third, we have a dozen roles to juggle, being educators, controllers, managers, planners, psychologists — you name it. It all leads to moments when some of us can have no desire whatsoever to keep working or even living our normal life. How to learn to recharge our batteries? Take a look at today’s article first.

Put your body first

I am sure you have noticed that feeling stressed or depressed one might start ignoring the needs of their body. We skip meals, don’t sleep enough, suffer from backaches and headaches, and…do nothing about that. In any case of emergency, when you notice the first signs of burnout coming, establish priorities. It’s hard to start a new hobby, go for a run, or even meet a friend for coffee when you are sleep-deprived and stressed. These simple steps should turn into routines and help a great deal. Well, ideally.

Establish routines

Routines provide a sense of structure and give us a feeling of security. So when everything else may seem out of control, our routines remain in place and you remain sane. Make sure you follow specific routines daily even if it’s as small as an anti-stress colouring page or a morning cup of coffee. Also, sticking to our routines and ticking little boxes either on paper or in our mind can give us a sense of achievement and satisfaction. Try straightaway — make a list of 5 doable things for tomorrow. Let it include a variety of nice, pleasant, and important activities.

Schedule your hobbies

Do you have a hobby which has nothing to do with your work? If not, reflect on something you enjoyed doing and, probably, get back to it. This shouldn’t include reading work-related CPD books! If you are looking for ways to develop your teaching skills, consider signing up for a workshop or a course so there’s a designated time and place. This way it won’t creep in on your personal time.

Unlike another webinar on teaching, half an hour of a pleasant activity can help anyone clear their head and get a new lease of life. Why schedule, you may ask. Well, because when we feel a bit down, we normally limit our activity to the most crucial things. Self-care, hobbies, meetings with friends are the first to be sacrificed. If you plan some me-time in advance, you are more likely to stick to the plan. In this case, a hobby can have a truly therapeutic effect.

Set boundaries

We all have emergencies, for sure. Sometimes it’s necessary to work late, to leave school after 10, or to be in touch 24/7. The key word here is ‘sometimes’. If you feel that you need to restore your mental health and regain strength, it’s a good idea to delegate some of the things you are doing or even put them on hold. Setting clear work boundaries means that you won’t check your group chats or emails after your working day is over., or you’ll only grade papers until a favorite TV show starts, or maybe you’ll never work on Saturdays. Whatever boundaries you set for yourself, stick to them to ensure balance in your life. How to start? By saying ‘no’ to something that doesn’t fit in with your working hours, for example. ‘No, I’d love to help, but I just have too much on my plate right now.’ will do as well.

Have a change of scene

New experiences and emotions are beneficial when it comes to recharging the batteries. They can energize you when things are already going a bit wrong or you feel drained. It doesn’t have to be something big like moving house or starting a new hobby. Some petty things will work well too:

These are just some of the ideas which can brighten your day and fill you with emotions and vivid impressions.

Of course, the best piece of advice for anyone who feels exhausted is to learn to rest before you get tired. However, the ideas mentioned in the article can help a teacher feel rejuvenated and get back to normal, fulfilling life. Take care of yourself and don’t forget to put things on hold for a while.

What helps you to recharge your batteries?

How to Charge a Car Battery

Here’s how to recharge it and what to do if that doesn’t work.

You drove home last night and everything was fine with your vehicle, but this morning, you have a dead battery. You need to get your car going again—of course. But how? You could finagle a jump-start from a neighbor, friend, or relative. Maybe your car will keep running fine after that, but maybe not. How about recharging your battery? A great idea, but one that’s not so easily accomplished. And will it work? Is the battery completely shot, or will a recharge boost it back to life and get you on the road again? We’ll show you how to recharge it in five easy steps in the accompanying videos, but that still might not solve your problem.

The best thing you can do when your battery goes flat suddenly is to figure out why and what shape it’s actually in. Did you leave the headlights on last night? Or an interior light? Either of those could be enough to run the battery down. Attempting a recharge will also help you know if you need a new battery. How so?

If the battery takes the charge and you can restart your vehicle, it might not be totally dead. But if it then dies a couple of days later, it could be either a failing battery or the fault of something else in your car’s electrical system—starting with the alternator, which supplies electricity to run the car and charge the battery. If the battery won’t even take a charge, it’s almost definitely dead and needs to be replaced.

If you’re intent on recharging your battery, you’re going to need a battery charger. There are many good ones on the market. Better still, if a friend or relative has one that you can borrow, you’re in luck. In the following videos, we use an Optima charger that we have had good experience with in the Car and Driver garage. Most auto-parts stores carry chargers and they’re readily available through online retailers such as Amazon.

Here’s How to Recharge Your Battery

First, find your vehicle’s battery and locate the positive and negative terminals. Most cars have their battery under the hood. The positive terminal is marked with a «+,» and the negative terminal is marked with a «-.» Sometimes the terminals are protected by plastic covers that need to be flipped out of the way, so you can charge the battery.

Next, make sure your battery charger is unplugged from the wall socket—it uses household current to charge the battery—and that it’s switched off, just to be doubly sure there’s no current flowing through it. Read the instructions that come with the battery charger, as each charger operates a little differently.

Attach the charger’s red clamp to the battery’s positive terminal and the black clamp to the negative terminal. Give the clamps a little wiggle to ensure that they have a good connection to the terminals. For the greatest safety, keep the charger as far away from the battery as the cables allow.

Now plug the charger in and turn it on. The Optima charger that we’re using here has a switch that sets it for either a motorcycle or car battery or one of Optima’s high-performance batteries. The Optima charger will automatically shut off when the battery is fully recharged. Other chargers work differently; they may not shut off automatically but rather have gauges that let you know when the battery is charged. Many battery chargers deliver two to six amps (some allow you to choose the amperage level) and will take at least several hours to recharge a dead car battery. Read the instructions that come with the charger to be sure you’re operating it correctly.

When the battery is fully charged, shut off the charger and unplug it. Then remove the cables, unhooking the negative (black) clamp first.

Figuring Out the Real Problem

Remember, unless you know the reason your battery died (say, because you left the headlights on overnight) even though your vehicle starts and runs after you recharge the battery, something in your electrical system may be causing the problem. Expect your battery to run down again (and be happy if it doesn’t). If your battery soon weakens or gives out, consider removing it and hauling it down to an auto-parts store. Many will test the battery for you, and you can pick up a new one while you’re there. Alternatively, jump-start your vehicle and get it down to a repair shop. You either have a bad battery or an electrical-system issue; you’ll need the help of a technician to solve the problem.

How to Properly Charge a Phone Battery

Why is it that your phone’s battery seems to get worse over time? At first it might have power to spare as you snuggle into bed at the end of the day, but as time goes on you find your battery is just half-full by lunchtime.

Partly it’s how you use your phone – the apps you install, the junk you collect, the customisations you make, and the more and more notifications you receive – puts more strain on the battery. (Read our tips on how to extend battery life.)

Until we have new-fangled technologies such as smart clothes that optimise wireless performance, we must learn how to charge a battery that keeps it healthy for as long as possible.

Phone batteries, like all batteries, do degrade over time, which means they are increasingly incapable of holding the same amount of power. While they should have a lifespan of between three and five years, or between 500 and 1,000 charging cycles, a three-year-old phone battery is never going to keep going as long as a brand-new battery.

Three things wear out lithium-ion batteries: number of charging cycles, temperature, and age.

However, armed with our tips for best battery care practice, you can maintain your smartphone battery health much longer.

When should I charge my phone?

The golden rule is to keep your battery topped up somewhere between 30% and 90% most of the time. Top it up when it drops below 50%, but unplug it before it hits 100%. For this reason, you might want to reconsider leaving it plugged in overnight.

Pushing in the last charge from 80-100% causes a lithium-ion battery to age faster.

Maybe it’s better to recharge in the morning instead, at the breakfast table or on your office desk. That way, it is easier to keep an eye on the battery percentage during charging.

iOS users can use the Shortcuts app to set a notification when the battery level reaches a certain percentage. This is done under the tab “Automation” and then “Battery Level”.

Giving your phone a full recharge is not fatal for a phone battery, and it seems almost counter-intuitive not to do so, but giving it a full recharge every time you charge it will shorten its lifespan.

Likewise, at the other end of the scale, avoid allowing your phone battery to get below 20%.

Lithium-ion batteries don’t feel good about going too far below the 20% mark. Instead, see the extra 20% “at the bottom” as a buffer for demanding days, but on weekdays start charging when the warning for Low Battery level appears.

In short, lithium-ion batteries thrive best in the middle. Don’t get a low battery percentage, but also not too high.

Should I charge my phone battery to 100%?

No, or at least not every time you charge it. Some people recommend that you do a full zero to 100% battery recharge (a “charge cycle”) once a month – as this re-calibrates the battery, which is a bit like restarting your computer.

But others disregard this as a myth for current lithium-ion batteries in phones.

To keep your long-term battery life in good health, frequent, small charges are better than full recharging.

With iOS 13 and later, Optimised Battery Charging (Settings>Battery> Battery Health) is designed to reduce the wear on your battery and improve its lifespan by reducing the time your iPhone spends fully charged. When the feature is enabled, your iPhone should delay charging past 80% in certain situations, depending on Location Services that tell the phone when it is at home or work (when you are less likely to need a full charge) compared to when you are travelling.

The deeper you discharge a lithium battery, the more stress is inflicted on the battery. So, topping up frequently extends battery life.

Should I charge my phone overnight?

As a rule, it’s best to avoid, despite the convenience of waking up with a full battery in the morning. Each full charge counts as a ‘cycle’, and your phone is only built to last for a set number.

If you charge overnight, you are guaranteed to miss when the phone exceeds the magic 80% mark that is best for extended long-term life.

While most modern smartphones have built-in sensors to shut off charging when they hit 100%, if still turned on they will lose a small amount of battery while idle.

What you may get is a “trickle charge” as the charger attempts to keep the phone at 100% as your phone naturally loses on its own charge during the night. This means that your phone is constantly bouncing between a full charge and a little bit below that full charge – 99% to 100% and back again during a longer-than-required charge. It can also heat the phone up, which is also bad for the battery.

So, charging during the day is better than charging overnight.

Your best policy is to have Do Not Disturb and Airplane Mode switched on. Better still, you could completely switch off your phone, but that may not be possible if you rely on it as an alarm or wish to be ready to take calls at all hours.

Some devices are also set to power up once the cable is connected by default. Even during waking hours, it’s best to catch your phone before it hits 100%, or at least not leave the charger supplying charge to an already full battery for too long.

If you are leaving it plugged in for a long period of time, removing the case can prevent it over-heating.

Will fast-charging damage my phone?

The majority of modern smartphones support some form of fast-charging. However, this often requires you to purchase an additional accessory. The industry standard is Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, which delivers 18W of power.

However, many phone makers have their own fast charge standard, many of which can deliver even faster speeds by adjusting power management code to request a higher voltage charge is sent. Samsung is now even selling a 45W charger!

While fast-charging itself will not harm your phone’s battery, which is built to support it, the heat generated will potentially affect its lifespan. So it’s on you to balance the advantages of faster charging with the convenience of quickly topping up your phone before you dash out the door.

In the same way that phone batteries don’t like extreme heat, they also don’t like the cold. So it goes without saying that you should avoid leaving your phone in a hot car, on the beach, next to the oven, out in the snow. Typically, batteries perform at their optimum somewhere between 20 and 30°C, but short periods outside of this should be fine.

Can I use any phone charger?

Where possible use the charger that came with your phone, as it is sure to have the correct rating. Or make sure that a third-party charger is approved by your phone’s manufacturer. Cheap alternatives from Amazon or eBay may harm your phone, and there have been several reported cases of cheap chargers actually catching on fire.

That said, your phone should draw only the power that it needs from a USB charger.

Battery memory effect: Fact or fiction?

The battery memory effect concerns batteries that are regularly charged between 20% and 80% and suggests that the phone might somehow ‘forget’ that extra 40% you routinely ignore.

Lithium batteries, which are in the majority of modern smartphones, do not suffer the battery memory effect, though older nickel-based (NiMH and NiCd) batteries do.

Nickel-based forget their full capacity if they aren’t discharged and charged from 0 to 100%. But, habitually cycling your lithium-ion battery from 0 to 100% will adversely affect its battery life.

Avoid Parasite Loads

If you charge your phone while using it – for example, while watching a video – you can “confuse” the battery by creating mini-cycles, during which parts of the battery continually cycle and deteriorate at a faster rate than the rest of the cell.

Ideally, you should turn your device off while charging. But, more realistically, just leave it idle while charging.

Battery protection settings by phone maker

OnePlus has a battery monitor called “Optimized Charging” from its OxygenOS 10.0. This is activated under “Settings / Battery”. The smartphone then remembers what time you usually climb out of bed in the morning and only completes the critical last step of charging from 80 to 100% shortly before you get up – that is, as late as possible.

Google also offers integrated battery protection for its devices from Pixel 4 onwards. You will find the “Adaptive Charging” function under “Settings / Battery / Smart battery”. If you use it to charge your device after 9pm and at the same time set an alarm clock between 5am and 10am, you will have a freshly charged smartphone in your hand when you get up, but the full charge is only completed shortly before the alarm clock rings.

Samsung has a battery charge function in selected tablets, such as the Galaxy Tab S6 or Galaxy Tab S7. “Protect Battery” can be found under “Settings / Device maintenance / Battery”. When the function is activated, the device simply defines the maximum capacity of the battery to 85%.

Apple’s “Optimized Battery Charging” function is primarily intended to reduce the time window in which the battery is heavily charged. Fully charging over 80 percent is delayed or not even carried out in certain situations. It also depends on your own location, so energy gaps should be avoided when travelling or on vacation, for example.

Huawei’s battery assistant is called “Smart Charge” and is available from EMUI 9.1 or Magic UI 2.1. The function can be switched on under “Settings / Battery / Additional Settings”, which means that charging of the device is stopped at 80% at night and only completed before you get up. Here, too, usage behaviour and, if necessary, an alarm clock setting is included in the planning.

Sony’s “Battery Care” function is found in the Battery settings for many models. The device learns when and for how long users connect the charging cable and adjusts the end of charging so that it coincides with the disconnection of the power supply. Sony devices can also be charged with a maximum charge of 80 or 90%.

Keep the phone battery cool

As you might expect, heat is a battery’s enemy. Don’t let it get too hot or too cold – especially when charging. If a phone gets too hot, you will be damaging its battery, so try to keep it cool where possible.

Charging the phone from a power bank on the beach in a deckchair is a worst-case scenario for battery health. Try keeping your phone in the shade if you need to charge on a hot summer day. Charging by a window can also lead to excess heat. Read how to cool down a hot iPhone.

The cold is also not good for batteries either. If you come in from a long walk in the winter cold, let the phone reach room temperature before you plug in the cable.

Heat and batteries do not belong together. Batteries are a bit like humans, at least in the narrow sense that they thrive best around 20-25 degrees.

Storing battery tips

Don’t leave a lithium battery lying around too long at 0% – if you’re not using it for a while, leave it with around 50% charge.

If you are going to put the phone away for a long time, first charge it to somewhere between 40-80% and then turn off the phone.

You’ll find the battery will drain between 5% and 10% each month, and if you let it discharge completely it might become incapable of holding a charge at all. That’s probably why an old phone’s battery life is so much worse after a few months in a drawer, even when it hasn’t been used.

More tips for longer phone battery life

• Use the power save mode more often. It reduces power consumption and thus reduces the number of cycles.

• Try your screen’s Dark Mode, as the phone turns off the pixels displaying black, This means you save battery life when the white panels go dark. Or just turn your phone’s brightness down!

• Turn off background updates for apps you think don’t need them – it also reduces power consumption.

• Turn off or put the phone in Airplane Mode when you don’t need it, such as overnight – preferably with a reasonable battery level left.

• Don’t force quit the apps. Your phone’s operating system is best at pausing the apps that aren’t needed – it uses lower power consumption than a “cold start” for each app again and again.

• Avoid cheap chargers and cables. When buying charging cables and plugs, it’s a false economy to buy cheap products. Hardware should have a charge control rather than an inferior, cheap circuit – otherwise there is a risk of overcharging. See best phone chargers, best charging cables for iPhone, best USB-C cables, and best MicroUSB charging cables.

Additional reporting by Samuel Nyberg and Steffen Zellfelder.

15 Ways to Recharge Your Batteries This Weekend

Is this your week? Your Monday through Friday draaaags on while the weekend is over before you know it.

But the time you have between end-of-day Friday and wake-up time on Monday is actually about 60 hours. And those 60 hours are yours.

If 60 hours seem too unwieldy to manage, try breaking it down into chunks. Time management expert Julie Morgenstern’s strategy is perfect here:

And when you’re ready to plan your chunks of time, choose from this list. Those 60 hours will feel like a much-needed break from your busy week!

1. Sleep.

Okay, this one can be a bit elusive when you’re a parent — particularly if you’ve got young kids who bounce out of bed early on a Saturday! But, if you can, get some of those precious extra zzz’s over the weekend.

Experts say that adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. And missing out can have some surprisingly serious consequences, says the CDC: “Sleeping less than seven hours per day is associated with an increased risk of developing chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and frequent mental distress.”

So schedule in some snooze time!

2. Get moving.

During the week, plenty of us don’t get to move our bodies much during the day. So, especially if you’re typically parked in at a desk from Monday to Friday, it’s important to move those muscles on the weekend.

Head outdoors, hit the gym, or do a high-energy activity like swing dancing or roller skating!

3. Transport your mind somewhere different.

Julie Morgenstern encourages people to take “escapes” — “hobbies and activities that instantly transport us to a place of joy provide one of the most efficient ways to recharge our batteries.”

So what are yours? Identify at least one activity that gives your mind that feeling of relaxation and peace. And squeeze that activity into your next weekend.

4. Get out.

After working all week, I am itching to get out of the house when Saturday rolls around. If the weather is good, take a day trip or visit a local attraction — your famer’s market, nearby park, or school carnival.

Bad weather? Try a museum, a movie, or even just a drive to explore your area.

5. Do something completely different.

What part of your brain is normally doing all the heavy lifting? Give that part a break and do something that’s nothing like your day job.

Crunching numbers all day at work? Do a paint-and-sip painting class on the weekend. Engaging in a lot of face-to-face client meetings or teaching a roomful of students? Grab some alone time with nature or a good book.

6. Spend time with people who refresh you.

Remember playing The Sims back in the day? If you left your Sim alone for long enough, the poor thing would start to gesticulate, wail, and conjure up an image of Sim-to-Sim connection in a thought bubble.

We’re not all that different! Sometimes some human contact can refresh the soul in ways that nothing else can. Find the people who inspire that feeling in you, and prioritize time with them this weekend. Maybe that’s your spouse, your kids, extended family, or dear friends.

7. Make a spiritual connection.

Speaking of refreshing your soul, taking time for prayer or meditation can truly enliven your spirit. How you do that’s up to you. Attend a Bible study, read a spiritual book, spend time with your rosary — whatever speaks most to you.

8. Skip the screens.

We already get a lot of screen time. In fact, it’s estimated that adults spend 11 hours in front of screens every single day. That’s work, E-mail, social media, T.V. time, Internet surfing, online buying, and everything else we do with our devices.

So, this weekend, see about separating from your screens a little more.

9. Slow down for a meal.

Weeknights can be crazy hectic. But weekends offer a unique opportunity — a slower, more relaxed pace and maybe even more time for prep.

Take advantage of the extra time if you have it. Savor a family meal. Cook something a little more involved if you like to whip up meals. Bake something as a family. Or go out together for a special meal on the town.

10. Give yourself a fun weekend project.

Instead of simply chilling, maybe you want to use your weekend to get something done! And a one-weekend project is perfect.

Choose something you can accomplish in those two days while still having a positive impact on your life. That might be decluttering a room, organizing your donations, painting a piece of furniture, or printing a photo album.

11. Engage in some self-care.

One of the best ways to refresh yourself in a short amount of time? A little bit of self-care.

What does that mean for you? A bubble bath? A DIY manicure? A walk around the block? Even just 15 minutes of alone time? Choose at least one self-care activity and schedule it into your next Saturday or Sunday.

12. Read.

There is always some movie ready to stream on T.V. or link to click on your phone. But what about a good, old-fashioned book?

Revisit a favorite, borrow a new one from the library, or search the shelves at your local bookstore. Flip through the pages to take a journey right there in your home.

13. Plan something fun for Sunday night.

I get it. On Monday morning, you’re off to the races again. And Sunday night can mean a lot of unfun prep work for the busy week ahead. So give yourself something to look forward to on Sunday nights.

Make it family movie night, date night after the kids go to bed, or time to Skype with your best friend!

14. Tackle some of the un-fun stuff before the weekend.

Here’s what won’t get you recharged this weekend — filling your Saturday and Sunday with chores and errands.

Whenever possible, use time during the week to tackle some of the need-to-do’s on your list. That way, you can enjoy time for the want-to-do’s on the weekend.

15. Schedule downtime.

It can be tempting to squeeze all the things into your Saturday and Sunday — kids’ activities, family get-togethers, time with friends, errands, you name it! But running yourself ragged won’t give you that Zen feeling.

The solution? Make time for downtime. Actually schedule do-nothing (or do-little) time! Let yourself catch a breath, so you’re ready to tackle Monday when it does come back around.

What’s your best advice for recharging on the weekend?

14 Ways to Recharge Your Internal Batteries

Feel like you’re running on empty? These 14 ways to recharge your internal batteries will help you practice self care and live a happier life!

Last week I did something I’ve never done before–something I don’t think I ever would have even considered, had my husband not suggested and encouraged it.

I went on a personal retreat.

For four whole days, I did nothing but read books, go for long walks and hikes, do yoga, take long baths and lay by the pool. I completely unplugged from work and literally retreated from the world.

It was nothing short of incredible, and it was a powerful reminder to me–someone who normally thrives on being busy–that sometimes rest is the most productive thing we can do.

And let’s face it–clutter and chaos are the opposite of restfulness. Not only do our homes become chaotic, but our schedules also get full of things we need to do, deal with, and take care of. Life can feel like an endless parade of carpooling, pickups and drop-offs for lessons and activities, and running errands all over the city, not to mention keeping up with all the obligations at work or school or church.

It’s no wonder we need a break once in a while!

While these days, many of us use tech to tune out, the reality is that screen time will never leave us feeling recharged and refreshed. Instead, it just makes us feel constantly connected and overloaded with information.

Instead of going to Facebook or Pinterest, or playing a game of Candy Crush on your phone, why not try to find more restful ways to really relax? Taking a break from tech gives us a chance to recharge our own batteries and helps us feel more mindful and aware of our surroundings. This mindfulness leads to a sense of control and empowerment. Suddenly, you feel like you can “do the things!” when before you might have just felt like checking out.

14 Ways to Recharge Your Internal Batteries

Believe it or not, our mental “getaway” doesn’t need to be an elaborate vacation or expense escape. Here are fourteen simple ways to recharge your internal batteries—without breaking the bank.

1. Go for a Walk

Probably the simplest and most cost-free solution to relaxation is to slip on your shoes and go for a walk. Just get out there. Walk in rain, walk in the snow or walk in the sun. While walking with your kids or spouse can be lovely, sometimes it’s nice to just go for a walk by yourself (or take your dog).

When you go for a walk, it’s not about speed-walking, listening to loud music, or even trying to lose weight (although all of those things can be part of it too, if that’s what truly relaxes you). Instead, it’s about mindfulness, listening to the sounds around us, and enjoying the sites of the journey. Breathe in the fresh air and really notice what’s going on in your environment. Even a ten or fifteen minute walk can give you the boost you need.

2. Enjoy a Manicure or Pedicure

Of course we all love going to the salon and getting a mani/pedi, especially during the summer months. It can be such a boost to feel the salt scrub and to sit in the massage chair while someone else pampers you.

Even if you can’t afford the salon, you can still easily give yourself a little DIY mani/pedi boost at home. Pick a happy color that makes you feel energized and take some time to really give it your attention.

Soak your hands and feet in warm water, and use a stick to push your cuticles back. Use a scented lotion or coconut oil and work it into your hands and feet. Trim your nails and file them into shape. Then, use the polish to add a little shine and color. You can pamper yourself for literally pennies, and if you take the time to really concentrate on what you’re doing and make it special, it can feel just as great as a day at the salon.

3. Give Yourself Some “Spa Time”

Speaking of pampering yourself, have your ever treated yourself to a home spa treatment? Years ago I worked in a spa—and I loved it! It was so fun to see our clients come in all excited, then watch them get pampered and enjoy doing something nice for themselves. People are rarely sad at the salon. It’s a great way to boost your mood and brighten your day.

You can create that spa day feeling at home! Do something extra special for yourself—use an exfoliating salt scrub, and put on a fluffy robe. Light scented candles or use a diffuser and essential oils. Keep the lights turned down low, and use a mask or special skin treatment. Whiten your teeth with a little baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Give your hair a deep condition. I guarantee you will feel lifted!

4. Take a 20-Minute Nap

I’m not a huge napper, but the benefits of taking a nap during the day can boost concentration and improve your mood, especially if you’re a person who loves naps (or someone who just needs to get a better night’s sleep).

Take twenty minutes to cozy up somewhere comfortable and warm. Rather than just trying to catch some winks in a chair or on the couch, try to make your nap something really special. Turn the lights low, wrap up in a soft blanket, and even get a pillow out.

The idea is to make a nap seem like a special luxury and reward, rather than something you feel guilty for “sneaking in.” When you’re using a nap to recharge your batteries, make it a treat.

5. Get a Little Exercise

If you’re someone who enjoys exercise, get your endorphins going to keep you feeling charged up and ready to take on the world. Exercise keeps your heart healthy and can help boost your mood and keep your emotions in check. If you struggle from anxiety or depression, exercise is a natural solution.

You don’t have to belong to an expensive gym or health club. Simply put in a DVD or look for exercise videos on YouTube. If you’re committed to going tech-free, lace up your sneakers and go for a walk or run. If all else fails, turn on some music and dance around your living room. It’s about getting your heart pumping and your mood-boosting endorphins going. You’ll feel the energy.

6. Color!

Adult coloring books are all the rage these days. Using pencils or crayons to fill in repeating designs can be just as soothing and relaxing for adults as it is for kids.

You don’t need to buy an expensive book to participate in the coloring trend. There are tons of drawings you can print off online, or go ahead and sneak a page from your kids’ coloring book. You can even try looking through your own bookshelf. Many books feature simple line-drawn illustrations.

Taking colored pencils to a piece of paper and illustrating color variations from light to dark, or creating a simple drawing of trees or flowers can make you feel calm and refreshed.

7. Read a Book

While I love my Kindle as much as the next gal, try to take a break from technology and try opening a good old-fashioned book. Pick something light and relaxing to read, like a biography or fiction.

If you aren’t a big reader, skim through a magazine or page through a cookbook for fun ideas. (No frantic searching for a dinner recipe to stress about tonight!)

8. Work in Your Garden

Whether you have a true green thumb or just a brownish-green one, everyone can enjoy getting outdoors and getting our hands a little dirty! Try planting some veggies or lettuce in a planter or pot. If you have existing flowerbeds, weed and rake the dirt surrounding the plants.

When you’re working in your garden, be mindful of the world around you. Notice the smells and feelings you experience in the dirt and grass. Feel the breeze and the sun as it hits the back of your neck. Let the process become a sensory experience to ensure it’s much more relaxing than just “weeding the garden.”

9. Bake Bread

I LOVE LOVE LOVE homemade bread. A good crusty loaf, a soft loaf, beer bread—there’s really nothing better than delicious, fresh bread. Try making a loaf of easy yeast bread or rolls. The very act of kneading the dough, letting it rise, and creating something your whole family can enjoy is very therapeutic.

If yeast bread isn’t your favorite, try making a quick bread like banana, zucchini, pumpkin or carrot. Even if you’d rather not have it in the house, it makes for a great gift for neighbors, and you’ll double the recharge effect by doing something nice for someone else.

10. Use Essential Oils

Essential oils are a big part of my life and my family. They’re amazingly useful when it comes to staying healthy. They smell amazing and they can be used in so many applications—from healthy cleaning solutions to diffusion for all sorts of benefits.

Try using lavender to relax, peppermint to energize, or orange to awaken and refresh. You can use the oils topically, so try putting a few drops on a cotton ball or tissue to give you a little boost during the day.

11. Call a Friend

Very few things in the world can recharge our batteries like a conversation with a good friend. Don’t make it a complaint session or even a chance to “vent.” Instead, try reframing your approach to the conversation and make it about uplifting the both of you and truly connecting.

Listen to your friend and talk about the things important to both of you. Make plans for the future and exchange funny or inspirational stories. Sometimes a quick call is all you need to reset your mood and feel renewed.

12. Journal

At the times in my life when I’ve most struggled, I’ve found that writing things out can be immensely helpful, and yes—even energizing. Some of us might not be traditional “journalers,” but jotting down your thoughts, lists, plans and memories in a notebook can help get it off your plate and out of your brain.

If you find you need a chance to reset and recharge your batteries, explore your “whys” in your writing. What’s making you feel drained and what can you do to make yourself feel better? Write it out and you might be surprised at the results.

13. Take a Bath or Shower

It’s amazing what a nice bath or shower can do to reset your levels and get you going. If you really need a recharge, use a soothing shower gel and the “nice” conditioner and shampoo—and go all out. If you like, put on some music or nature sounds to make your shower an experience.

If you prefer a bath, light candles and break out the Epsom salts and bubble bath, of course. Try something with an invigorating citrus scent to wake you up and give you a boost of energy.

14. Give

There’s no better way to recharge your batteries than to think of a way to give to those around you. It doesn’t need to be a grand donation to charity and you don’t need to build an entire Habitat for Humanity house (though both are great ideas). For an easy mood lifter, try simply doing something nice for someone close to you or committing a random act of kindness.

Pay for the next guy in line at Starbucks. Drop off cookies or that zucchini bread to a neighbor. Fix a favorite meal for your kids or spouse. The idea is to do it with intention, awareness and joy.

Recharging your batteries doesn’t need to be an expensive process, and it shouldn’t require you to do something time consuming and out of the ordinary. Pick a simple activity that makes you feel good, and put away your cell phone and technology so you can really enjoy and savor the moment!

To recap, here are 14 Ways to Recharge Your Internal Batteries:

1. Go for a Walk
2. Enjoy a Manicure or Pedicure
3. Give Yourself Some “Spa Time”
4. Take a 20-Minute Nap
5. Get a Little Exercise
6. Color!
7. Read a Book
8. Work in Your Garden
9. Bake Bread
10. Use Essential Oils
11. Call a Friend
12. Journal
13. Take a Bath or Shower
14. Give