Let’s Talk about Social Battery
Regardless of personality, of being an introvert or extrovert, we all need time to ourselves sometimes. Just like our phone batteries, our social batteries die too, and they need time to recharge. And just like phones, sometimes they die in the worst possible situations - but it happens.
A more recent term, social battery, refers to a person's capacity to be around other people in various settings. After going through the pandemic and spending so much time at home in quarantine, it makes sense that we got used to being alone more often than we used to. For some of us, that social butterfly phase simply never came back.
It’s natural to feel exhausted or mentally drained after hanging out in a large group; it just means we reached our limit. Social battery is often referred to in relation to being an introvert or extrovert. Nobody is fully an extrovert, or fully an introvert; everyone has characteristics of both. Where we fall on that spectrum has a lot to do with childhood and the way we grew up. Nevertheless, we all react differently in social situations and can handle various levels of stimulation, whether that be a whole day socializing or just one interaction.
Social battery is often compared to a muscle. Muscles need to be worked, trained, and stretched to grow stronger. It seems funny to compare the two, but it’s true. Hanging out with others, going to social gatherings, and meeting new people all work to increase that social capacity and grow the “social muscle.” Typically we wake up with a fully charged social battery, and then just like phones, the battery dies throughout the day- a few percent with each social interaction. Have you ever felt just so drained for no reason? Well, that’s probably your social battery talking.
Learning how to manage social battery involves thinking ahead and making sure to take time for yourself. Plan ahead and don’t be afraid to say no. We know it can feel awkward to say no to plans or stay in one night, but do what’s best for you! Take time to do some self care and put yourself first. Watch a movie, bake some treats or do a face mask; little things like this will help to refuel your social battery. Becoming in tune with yourself and your social capacity is super important, and will make life so much easier knowing your limits and when it's time to go. Things like irritability, inability to focus, or detachment from other people are all signs of social exhaustion. Don’t be afraid to put yourself first, and know when you need to recharge!