Understanding your 'social battery' life is a great way to know when (or when not) to go out
Some people's batteries go forever, others are like an old laptop.
A woman lying on a table at a party hat.
One of the big ways in which people differ—but we don’t talk about very much—is their social stamina. Some people love being around others morning, noon, and night. While others show up to a party at seven p.m. and quietly slip out the front door at nine. Although it’s not an official medical term, therapists like to call this the “social battery,” and we can all benefit from learning how often ours need to recharge to avoid running on empty.
What is a social battery?
Introverts and extroverts have very different social batteries. Extroverts have full batteries that take a long time to wind down. Introverts have smaller batteries that lose their charge quickly, so they have to be careful about how they plan their social interactions and who they spend their time with.
One isn’t better than the other, but it’s essential to learn where we stand on the social stamina spectrum so that we can get the most out of our social engagements. It’s important to connect with people, but if you have limited resources to devote to social situations, you must be intentional with how you spend your time.
This is what happens when a husband and wife are at a wedding and they both have very different battery lives.
@justice_777 She usually the one ready to go. #weddingtiktok #weddingday #bridetok #fatherofthebride #dadsoftiktok #dadjokes #weddingvibes #socialbutterfly #introvert #extrovert
What are some signs your social battery is running low?
- You feel weary
- You’re less interested in talking to people than you were before
- You’d like to be in a quiet, familiar place
- You’re ready to retreat into your inner world of books or creativity
- You’re overwhelmed by crowds or excess noise
Here’s what it looks like when someone with a low social battery throws a party.
@jordan_the_stallion8 #fyp @Aimy Avila
How to socialize without draining your battery
Mental health advocate Kyrus Keenan Westcott says that with a little planning in advance, people with low social batteries can get the most out of social functions.
1. Prioritize Meaningful Interactions: Spend time with those who uplift you, minimize time with those who are draining.
2. Create a Comfortable Space: If you’re hosting an event, create a place for you to relax and recharge during the event so that you can return to it with more battery life.
3. Set Clear Boundaries: If you need to leave at a set time or are feeling drained, don’t let anyone force you to stay.
4. Balance Social and Alone Time: Make sure to schedule enough time for yourself to recharge in between social events.
Ultimately, taking a good look at how your social battery functions can be a big help when planning your weekend or how you interact with coworkers. You’ll want to make sure that you spend the right amount of time on meaningful interactions, so you don’t waste your time on people and activities that aren’t fulfilling. It’s also great to understand your battery so that when it does feel low, you don’t feel bad that you’re being antisocial. You’ve just given all you can to the people who truly matter in your life.