Vegging Out and Chilaxing May Not Recharge You
“Vegging Out” and “Chilaxing” are popular descriptions for taking it easy. These activities, or lack of activity, may be restful and pleasant, but they may not recharge your batteries. You probably shouldn’t count them in the ten percent of your waking hours reserved for self care.
Why?
Because activities that recharge your reserve have some specific characteristics.
- Recharging activities engage your mind.
- Recharging activities involve doing.
- Recharging activities touch your spirit.
Here are some activities that I find recharging:
- Golf. Playing a round of golf requires both mental and physical activity. There’s also often a beneficial social component. And I benefit from playing golf by mentally replaying some of the good shots even days after the fact. Like all sports activities, golf can turn into a negative event if you take yourself too seriously.
- Fishing. Fishing also has both mental and physical components, as well as often a social component. The anticipation of the trip and the replay of the experience add bonus benefit.
- Photography. Photography for me not only is a mental and physical activity, but it engages my creative side, both in taking the photos and then in processing them. It helps me relive events and experiences, and viewing my photos often brings a smile to my face.
- Exploration. I love finding new-to-me stuff. For example, a leisurely stroll through my local HEB Sienna Market with a cup of coffee in hand checking out some of the more exotic offerings can recharge my spirits in a great way. Browsing through a good book store does the same, as does a visit to a good sporting goods store.
There are more activities that are recharging for me, but you’ve gotten the idea. These may not work for you, but you have other activities that do.
What’s important is to discover what they are and do them regularly.
DandyID
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