5 Self-Care Tips For Introverts With Social Overload
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We all have a quiet or shy friend. The one that you invite out for social gatherings on the weekend and they always say “no,” or they show up but don’t engage with people. Now, before you get upset with your introverted friends, take a moment to get into their brain. In our overstimulated world of electronics, digital connectivity, and continuous ringtones, alerts, and notifications, sometimes we forget to take time for ourselves in the way that is best for us.
Let’s face it—the world is a noisy place and growing larger every day. It’s a place where extroverts are favored and it leaves introverts feeling well…overwhelmed. Introverts thrive best with periods of quiet, as they can get easily drained by social interaction. They often feel recharged by time alone, whether it be restful and still or creative or productive. For this personality type, self-care isn’t just a luxury, but rather a necessity that needs dedicated time on a regular basis—it goes beyond a bubble bath or Netflix binge.
As an introvert, it’s important to schedule time for yourself every day. It may only be the occasional five minutes, but it’ll help you feel more at home with yourself, and it’s a boundary worth protecting in friendships and relationships, whether draining or exciting. Read on for our roundup of best activities for introverts.
Be Protective of Your Downtime
It goes without saying, but being protective of your downtime is the first step in understanding your inner self. Getting to know yourself better is just as much a part of self-care as the 10-step skincare routine and hot girl walk. By respecting your own personal boundary, you set yourself up to allow others to treat you in kind. Putting yourself first is not selfish. In fact, by addressing what your own personal needs are, you’re better equipped and able to handle stressful situations in the future.
Being protective of free time doesn’t mean you have to turn every invitation down. It could look like silencing your phone until you’ve journaled in the morning or eaten your breakfast. Maybe it looks like blocking off an hour in your calendar each day as a work or study block, guaranteeing that you won’t have any distractions from others.
If anyone asks why you’re unavailable, you can be honest without divulging too much. You can say things like, “I already have something booked at that time” or “I’m not available on X day, but I am free on X day.” You don’t need to share that the time you have booked is for yourself, but you can if you’re comfortable! The main idea here is to set aside time for yourself to help you recharge and process thoughts and emotions.
Say No (And Mean It)
Extroverts often love spontaneous decisions, but not everyone likes unforeseen plans. And no one likes their plans being disrupted more than introverts. Saying ‘no’ can become its own form of self-care if you practice it often enough. Create a boundary for yourself—not to keep others at a distance, but to protect yourself, your safe space, and your time. It’s important to be intentional with your energy. It’s more powerful to say no and mean it than to continually say yes to please others; you’ll find yourself feeling burnout, resentful, bitter, or numb.
As opposed to the acronym FOMO—the fear of missing out—there’s also JOMO to consider, better known as the joy of missing out. If you think that staying home rather than going out—whether it’s dinner or a girl’s cocktail night—will bring you more joy, then make that decision with confidence. The joy of missing out means you can do your routine as you please or sleep when you want. (Plus, it has other benefits, like extra snuggle time with your pets and saving money.)
Honor yourself by saying no to others and focusing on your much-needed alone time. Having space for yourself can lead to stronger relationships, especially with people who respect your boundaries and see you for who you are.
Have a Do-Nothing Day
Nothing feels more oppressive to an introvert than endless days of social plans and pre-scheduled activities. Try something different instead: intentionally schedule a ‘Do Nothing’ day for yourself. Make no plans. Turn your cell phone off. Turn off your alarms and notifications. Focus on exactly what you want to do that day, without planning it ahead of time. Let yourself naturally recharge without feelings of obligation.
Some ideas for this type of day are below:
Do a “Dopamine Detox” where you take a day to go tech-free
Do a puzzle or color in a coloring book
Read a book
Write in your journal
Go on a walk in nature
Go to a library or museum
Take a nap
Reorganize your favorite corner of a room
Look through photo albums and scrapbooks
Call a friend or family member you don’t talk to often
Play your favorite video game
Keep a Stack of Books On Hand
One of the best ways to give yourself some much-needed self-care is to dive into a new stack of books. Whether you’re an avid Kindle reader or you prefer a classic paperback novel, there’s a good chance that a little quiet time curled up with your favorite author will cure what ails you. Bonus points if you read your favorite book while soaking in a relaxing tub or in direct sunlight.
If you’re not sure where to start reading, try one of our suggested books to read based on your zodiac sign.
Write In Your Journal
If you’re in need of a creative outlet, maybe now is the time to try journaling. We’re big fans of keeping a gratitude journal, but journaling allows introverts the ability to quietly jot down their thoughts and process each one individually.
Your journal is always private to you and is the perfect place to get in touch with your innermost thoughts. If you’re new to the practice, use journal prompts or try morning pages—a dedicated practice where you clear your brain at the start of each day.