The amount of “people-ing” that happens from Thanksgiving to NYE can be enough to exhaust even the most stereotypical Leo. And for our introverts out there—ha! Welcome to your personal hell. Whether extrovert, introvert, or somewhere in between, we all need to take care of our energy—especially right now.
This looks different for each type of person (for the most part, anyway). So we asked the Poosh team to share the energy-protecting practices and recharging rituals that they find helpful before, during, and/or after social gatherings.
We also tapped friend-of-Poosh Erica Spiegelman—wellness specialist, recovery counselor, and author—to share her insights.
Read on for all the tips.
You party when the party is canceled—but, alas, that’s not always the case. Here are some ways for introverts to take care of their energy.
“Be mindful of your energy levels. If you are feeling tired, intimidated, or overwhelmed, go sit in a quiet spot. Maybe find only one person to talk to, and you can mostly listen instead of talking. Asking questions is a good way to be the listener.” —Erica Spiegelman
“I NEED alone time to charge the sad, little, despondent battery that powers my body. If I know I have a busy weekend coming up, I’m like a bear getting ready for hibernation. Only instead of fish, I gorge myself on things like cry-singing to sad songs in the shower and watching deep-sea ocean documentaries. Okay, it’s not a perfect metaphor, but I’m keeping it.”
—Allie Flinn, Wellness Editor
“I recommend creating a plan for leaving so that you don’t have to stay too long. Bring a friend who can say you have to leave to go elsewhere. Have some limits and boundaries around your time, and pick a time to leave.”
—Erica Spiegelman
“After the social event, one can take a bath or shower to cleanse any leftover energy. Take five deep breaths in and out to soothe your nervous system and calm down.”
—Erica Spiegelman
“As you can probably tell from my previous tip, I’m not a super big fan of ‘going places’ to ‘do things.’ Unless—and here’s the funny part—I’m already at a place and doing a thing. What works for me is doing a little something right before the big something, thus allowing me to stretch my socializing muscles and realize I kinda like being outside my house.”
—Allie Flinn, Wellness Editor
FOR THE EXTROVERTS AND AMBIVERTS
Even though you can get hyped from being around other people, it’s still important to protect your energy. Here are some ways to do that.
“Before going to a party, I recommend people ground themselves. Put your feet on the ground with no shoes on, and take five deep breaths in through your nose, out through your mouth. Then envision a clear, bright, white bubble around you. That is your protection from other chaotic energy or heavy emotional energy you may encounter.”
—Erica Spiegelman
“I’m pretty sure I’m an extroverted introvert. These days, too many people make me feel drained, but the right friend with good, deep conversation makes me feel energized. So I’m at a point in my life where I’m very cautious about the energy I interact with. I say ‘No’ more. I spend a lot of time alone, but I’ve learned to enjoy time by myself. I think people call it boundaries?” 😉
—Sarah Howard, CCO
“Similarly to Sarah, I’m an extroverted introvert. When I do spend time out, I am all laughs with super direct, fun, bold conversations. But I generally require a LOT of alone time to recharge, and I never really feel lonely. I really enjoy rest, my hobbies, and my own company to restore my energy and feel the most like myself.”
—Nicole Lesmeister, Managing Editor
“I think everyone could use a ritual before going to a party—especially people who are sensitive to energy (like me) and get exhausted physically from engaging, talking, or yelling too much at a party.”
—Erica Spiegelman
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