As the holiday season settles in, many of us instinctively yearn for a pause. After all, it’s been a long year, and we’re tired. But here’s the thing: resting and recharging are not the same - and both are essential for your well-being.

Rest is about stopping. It’s allowing yourself to pause, breathe, and not do. Recharging, on the other hand, is an active process - it’s about engaging in activities that fill you with energy and life. And here’s the hard truth: recharging isn’t optional. Think of yourself as an electric car. Rest is like parking, but recharging is plugging in. Without it, you’re not going anywhere, no matter how long you sit.

This isn’t the same as self-care. While self-care often feels indulgent or like a reward (“You deserve this!”), recharging is more like maintenance - it’s plain and simple. If you don’t do it, your battery runs out, and no amount of guilt-free rest will power you back up. So, the question is: what do you need to do to truly recharge?

Rest and Recharge in Action: My Sound Bowl Experience

Last night, I attended a sound bowl event for the first time. Imagine lying under a cozy blanket, warm and still, as waves of sound wash over you. There were deep, resonant vibrations from the bowls, the sparkle of chimes, and a rain drum that sounded like waves crashing on a shore. It looked like resting - and in some ways, it was. But the energy in that room was electric, and those vibrations reached deep into my soul.

For me, this was the perfect example of recharging. I wasn’t just lying down; I was immersed in an experience that gave me a new sense of awe and vitality. I left not only calm but energized in a way that rest alone couldn’t provide.

It made me realize just how much sensory experiences matter to me. Whether it’s the sights and tastes of a new place while traveling or the way sounds like these bowls resonate, I feel alive when I’m tuned into my senses. Now I’m wondering: how can I tap into my other senses - smell, touch - to recharge even more?

The Question Queen 👑: Time to Think

Take a moment and ask yourself these important questions:

• Are you prioritizing recharging, or are you running on a low battery?

• What activities make you feel truly energized and ready to take on the world?

• If recharging isn’t optional, how can you build it into your life consistently?

3 Best Practices for Resting and Recharging

1. Reframe Recharging as Non-Negotiable
   Rest is important, but recharging keeps you moving. Identify the activities that truly energize you and schedule them like you would an important meeting.

2. Go Beyond Pampering
   Recharging isn’t just about bubble baths or spa days unless those truly light you up. Instead, explore activities that restore your energy - like creative hobbies, movement, or immersive sensory experiences (hello, sound bowls!).

3. Create a Personal Recharge Blueprint
   What recharges someone else may not work for you. Reflect on when you’ve felt the most alive and energized, then design your own recharge plan around those experiences.

The One Thing ⬇️

This holiday season, remember: recharging is essential, not optional. Like an electric car, you can’t run on empty, and resting alone won’t cut it. To truly thrive, you need to make recharging a consistent and intentional part of your life.