Practicing Self-Care As An Extrovert Might Not Be As Hard As It Seems
“Cancel your plans and spend the night in, curl up on the couch with a book, turn off your phone, and forget about communicating with others for a while.” These are all phrases you may have heard from self-care books, articles, and other media. While these tips can be great for some, particularly introverts, they may not inspire and re-charge the extroverts of the world.
As an extrovert, you deserve the time and space to care for yourself in a way that fuels you. However, it can be hard to know how to do so when self-care tips often feel as though they are not meant for you.
Let’s Define “Extrovert”
Extrovert and introvert are terms that are often misconstrued in popular culture. The introvert is portrayed as the shy, tentative one, while the extrovert is the loud, obnoxious one. Being an extrovert or an introvert doesn’t come down to just how loud or quiet you are, but instead, where you get your energy from. Extroverts get an energy boost by being around others. Since self-care is often tied to alone time, the extrovert can often feel excluded from the self-care conversation.
““Being an extrovert or an introvert doesn’t come down to how loud or quiet you are, but instead, where you get your energy from.””
If you feel recharged, inspired, and ready to take on the day after being around others, you’re likely an extrovert. However, even the most social of extroverts can get burnt out and need to take advantage of self-care practices. Here are 10 self-care tips that can help you become the best version of your extroverted self.
Stop Giving An Automatic ‘Yes’
As an extrovert, it can be easy to say yes to every single social event that comes up. After all, you’re likely excited about seeing others and what the activity has in store. But take some time to consider the invite, the plans that you already have for that week, and if making this commitment will add to your life in a way that you need.
It can be easy to give out an automatic ‘yes’ to anyone who asks, but take a second to truly consider if the invite will lift you up or put you down. This second of intentional thought can keep you from taking on too many responsibilities and plans that will ultimately burn you out.
Mute Your Social Media
Social media can lead to comparison and major FOMO—that nagging feeling of missing out. If you’re an extrovert, this feeling of missing out on a fun activity can be all-consuming. You may feel like you’re not doing enough or you might feel guilty about taking a moment for yourself. Take some time away from social media in order to re-wire your brain to feel okay during these moments of rest and alone time. This doesn’t mean you have to get rid of all these apps forever, but on nights where you know you need to be by yourself to recharge, mute your accounts. Take a break from social media to disconnect and focus on yourself.
Engage in Hobbies
Extroverts often thrive on new experiences and in trying new things, but sometimes you need to focus on your tried-and-true activities. Take some time to pursue your hobbies and interests, whether that's playing a sport, making art, traveling, or whatever else gets you inspired. These hobbies may involve others or they may be a solo activity. The beauty of hobbies is that they’re explicitly yours and don’t have to be taken seriously. Don’t put pressure on yourself to excel at whatever hobby you try, just stick with it if you find it fuels you—like any good self-care activity should.
Move Around and Exercise
Exercise and getting enough sleep are important for everyone's well-being, but they can be especially important for extroverts who may have higher energy levels. Whereas an introvert may feel drained after a day of networking at work, an extrovert can feel recharged by being in public and interacting with others. This tendency to enjoy time around others can leave extroverts with excess energy that needs to be channeled in a constructive way. Letting go of this pent-up energy by prioritizing exercise or moving your body every day can be the perfect outlet to wind down and relax.
Be Compassionate Towards Yourself
While extroverts typically get their energy from being around others, there comes a point where they’ll need alone time, just as introverts need to be around others at times, too. Life is all about balance. Don't judge yourself for needing alone time or feeling drained after socializing. Instead, remind yourself that taking care of your needs is important and necessary for your overall well-being.
Stop To Reflect
As an extrovert, it can be easy to keep continuously moving forward without taking a moment to consider where you are in the world, what you can do to chase your goals, and how you can look back at the past. Take some time for self-reflection. This could mean journaling, meditating, or simply taking a few minutes each day to check in with yourself. These short moments of alone time and reflection can go a long way for keeping your mental health in check.
Establish a Routine
Routines can feel limiting for extroverts. You may not want to limit your potential social activities by adhering to a strict routine, but a bit of organization can help you free up time for what matters. Establishing a daily routine can help you feel more organized and productive, which can contribute to an increase in your overall well-being. Create a schedule that includes time for work, exercise, socializing, and self-care activities. By having this schedule, you’ll get everything done and still have time for spontaneity once the needs of your routine are met.
Dedicate Your Mornings to Pockets Of Self-care
Once you get started with your day, it can be difficult to take a step back and pause for self-care. Instead of feeling guilty about not practicing enough self-care, dedicate your mornings to holding space for small moments for yourself before the events of the day and any obligations to others begin. Although this might mean waking up an hour before you have to, taking this small amount of time can be a quick way to refresh before the start of a busy day.
Take a Mental Health Day
You don’t have to be “on” all of the time. A great part of self-care is recognizing when you can take time off for yourself. Sometimes you just need a day off to rest and recharge. Take a mental health day to focus on self-care activities that help you relax and rejuvenate. This can be a mental health day off of work or just a day away from others.
Venture Outside
Spending time in nature can be a great way to recharge and connect with the world around you. For extroverts, connecting with nature can be a simple way to get out of the house, while still limiting your interaction with others. Not only that, but going outside can also allow you to incorporate movement. Knock out two self-care habits at once by going on a hike, walking around your neighborhood, or exploring a new trail. You can also plant yourself down in a park or your own backyard and practice mindfulness in nature.
Extroverts deserve self-care activities just as much—if not more so—than introverts. Where introverts may naturally make time for self-care activities, setting aside time can be a struggle for extroverts to incorporate into their daily routine. Take these tips and start a self-care practice that honors your natural inclination towards others, while also making sure your needs are met.