Ask the Readers: What Do You Do to Recharge?

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Chris, Elena, and Mary for winning this week's contest!

We all experience times when we're stressed and tired, and everything feels so overwhelming. It's important to take a step back and recharge before we burn out from everyday stress.

What do you do to recharge? What are your common stressors and how do you deal with them? Do you reach out to friends and family when you need support?

Tell us what you do to recharge and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

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Mandatory Entry:

  • Post your answer in the comments below. One commenter will be randomly selected to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

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Giveaway Rules:

  • Contest ends Monday, January 16th at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Winners will be announced after January 16th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
     
  • You can enter all three drawings — once by leaving a comment, once by liking our Facebook update, and once by tweeting.
     
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Good Luck!

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Guest's picture
Tina Schmidt

I take a nap. It's possible because I'm a stay-at-home mom and my blood pressure meds sometimes make me sleepy.

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Karen Patterson

When I am feeling stressed I write about my feelings, problems, etc. in a journal.

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Lisa

I'd like to recharge my batteries this year with thoughtful journaling, writing, blogging, meditation and exercise.

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Donna Sako

I recharge in several ways. If I am really stressed--I use my sauna followed by a long bath in my whirlpool tub. But sometimes walking removes the stress better. Gardening, writing, swimming, bad-mitten, dancing, singing, doing things that bring me joy--even just having a warm cub of tea or hot chocolate. Removing stress is all about removing the thoughts that make you stressed or the body aches. Sometimes the stress is just from over thinking or over doing. Doing anything to relieve or distract is wonderful.

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Mami2jcn

My kids fighting with each other can stress me out so I take a walk to recharge.

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Julie Wood

I recharge by taking a nice hot bath and reading a book and having hot herbal tea. I also do yoga. It helps me relax.

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Elena

I take hot bubble bath to recharge

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Laurie Graves

Books, especially fiction, never fail to recharge me. Whenever I am feeling tired or blue, I settle onto my couch with a good book. And, of course, a cup of tea. After thirty or forty (or fifty or sixty) minutes, I feel revived.

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Kim Kihega

Take an afternon nap!

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Matt

I watch football or chat with my friends

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Chris

Sometimes I sleep in, just getting extra rest. Other times, I get outside and bike or walk. Either one can renew my energy, depending on how I'm feeling.

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DG Reid

Typical stresses of work, finances and family. Best way I've found to recharge is a day at home with minimal email or web-surfing, a great meal with family and maybe a movie that we can all enjoy together.

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Lisa

My favorite way to recharge is a bubble bath and a favorite book. But I also like hiking and trail running to get a nature boost.

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Carnette

Nothing recharges me better than a long, hot bubble bath. To make the experience total bliss add candles, book and a glass of wine. Ahhhhhh!

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Susan Smith

I recharge by taking a warm bubble bath.

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Raina

I turn on my diffuser with some relaxing essential oils and practice deep breathing exercises.

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Lisa Spieth

I listen to my relaxation downloads on my phone with ear phones.

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Revanche @ A Gai Shan Life

I blog about what's troubling me, usually. If I can't sit down to write for a few minutes, then I walk the dog to work out the stressful energy.

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Gina

I recharge by taking naps, watching movies, or drinking tea. Work and commuting are major stressors. I lean on family and friends for support.

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Monique Hubert

Feeling like I have too much to do and not enough time can make me feel very stressed out. I do mindful breathing and listen to music that makes me feel relaxed to deal with it. I also love the calming effects of meditation and yoga.

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Aileen

I go for a run or do some other type of exercise. Physical activity helps to decrease my fight-or-flight response to today's non-life threatening stressors by giving me an outlet.

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Oscar

In where many fine folks like to relax or go for a nice walk...I'm the other way around. I like to treat my body like a roller coaster. If I had a bad day (regardless at work or in my personal life) nothing decompresses me more than either slapping on my running shoes and going for a long run (at least 5 miles) or doing CrossFit.

Although the body will ache more after these remedies but it's just a fantastic way to let out all of that anger, frustration, tension, etc. So yeah...that's what I like to do to decompress.

A lot of you LOVE your bubble baths! ;-)

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Annie Ernest

It sounds odd but I feel recharged by completing a large item from my ever-longer to-do list. I get drained by thinking all the time- -about things I need to do, worrying about this and that. By setting out to complete a large project I can focus on one thing for a while and give my racing thoughts a break! And it feels so good when big projects are done, it lightens the overall load.

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Debra K

I recharge from the work week, stress in general, and drama of helping other people with their drama. I do this by sleeping, reading, writing, binge watching TV, exercising, and playing games with family and friends.

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Tammy Horn

I'm naturally a calm person, and most often the things that would stress me out would be any type of medical emergency with family or my dogs. Just running or doing some obedience or agility with my dogs is always good for a recharge.

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Christie

I take a hot bath and watch a favorite show. Relaxing and I get something done too!
Win/win!

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Zenofgrandways

Simply play a few round of my favorite video games would do the trick. Nothing cheer me up faster than a few rounds of butt kicking in some intensively fun gaming.

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Ernest S.

My go-to stress relief (from work) is journaling and exercising. It's funny how I can feel so tired and worn out, but then feel completely refreshed after a workout!

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Trish

I read with a hot cup of tea!

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Virginia Cauley

I make a play date with like minded successful women who struggle with similar ups and downs . We try not to discuss business but I derive renewed energy sharing fun thoughts and light heartedness!

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Natasha

Depending on how I need to be recharged, I like to get outside for a walk, read something frivolous, or work on an easy knitting project.

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kelly tupick

I usually take a moment for myself through out the day and have a coffee and just a bit of quiet time to recharge myself.

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amanda sakovitz

I meditate to recharge

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Linda

I take a nice hot shower.

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Chris

I like to read to recharge. My job stresses me and i want to be alone to recharge.

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Jessica Naca

When I need a recharge I take a moment for myself to relax and let my mind be free. Then I gather myself together and write out my reasonable plans.

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Betty

Work is sometimes stressful. I like to come home and have a cup of tea, and read my book.

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Mary W

I feel recharged after volunteering. I enjoy spending time with my fellow volunteers. We brain storm and plan out activities for the community. When I return home I feel energized and connected; ready to tackle projects at home.

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Kellie

It depends on my immediate circumstances, but I use a variey of techniques - getting lost in favorite music, writing or journaling, taking a walk, practicing yoga, photography, or talking to a good friend are common approaches.

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JD

To relax I make some of my favorite coffee and relax on the couch with a blanket if it's cold. I've also started doing a puzzle when really stressed.

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Liz

I work out, read or take a bath.

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Susan P.

I call my daughters just to talk or pet and play with the cats.

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MelodyJ

I like to read books and magazines.

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Louly

I like to take a nice vacation to recharge!

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Andrea Jenkins

It's important to take time to recharge! I serve as a victims advocate with the district court. It goes without saying, this job can be stressful and and intense. When I need a breather, I usually go for a swim, talk with a friend, or curl up with a good book and a cup of hot tea! People! When life gets real, take time for yourselves! When you take the time to enjoy those "recharge" moments, they can become second nature. Peace! :)

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Tammi Boston

Read a good book

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Jess

To recharge, I read for fun, make tea, take baths with epsom salt, and work on healthy meal preps, like soup.

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RICH

I like to sit on the couch with the dogs around me.

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Holly Sanford

If I'm feeling burned out I either take in a matinee or head to the nearest Barnes & Noble where I'll splurge on a hot tea or chai tea latte and wander the store for awhile.

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Elle

I take a bubble bath to recharge.

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Kelli

I'm always stressed about work, money, to-do's, and some health concerns. When it becomes too much I will nap, take a walk or drive, curl up with a good book or mag, zone out to TV, or play with my dogs to recharge again.

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Rebecca Ross

I read and sleep.

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Laurajj

Oh I love to take a long walk with the dog! It is so relaxing and peaceful for me! The fresh air always recharges me and allows me to clear my mind!

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Donna D

Here are my go to, take a walk or take a nice shower, read or drink some green tea.

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J. Pario

Read, craft, and take long, hot baths!

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Jeff

I play with the cats

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Suz_Glo

Worries and concerns about my young adult children and/or my aging parents are my triggers. I try to exercise every day which helps put me in a good mind set from the get go. But, during those times when something out of my control is worrying me, I escape with a good book. It's usually one I have read many times before so it can put me in a happy place and let my mind rest and reset.

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Ashley La.

I recharge by taking a nap or decluttering a space.

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Jen D

As an introvert, just being out and about can be a stressor. To recharge, I enjoy time with a good novel, working on a jigsaw puzzle, and even watching an episode of a favorite show on Netflix. I do reach out to my husband, who is wonderfully supportive of me, when I'm feeling especially stressed.

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Guest

Sleep, cook, listen to podcasts, take long walks outside, swim laps. I work with small children so recharging for me usually means spending time alone, being quiet and not having to ask/answer questions.

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Candice

I am often exhausted from work and taking care of my family's needs before my own. When I need to recharge, a long, very hot bath and a sweet treat do it for me every time. Some binge watching TV shows helps too.

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Amanda

I enjoy reading - books and blogs (of course), walking outside while listening to music, and lying in bed longer than usual, cuddling with my dogs and drinking coffee.

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Lynda

i take a few days off and catch up on sleep, errands, and tv shows

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Guest

I call my best friend! It's like free therapy at the touch of a button!

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Amy

I read a cozy mystery book or watch a movie on TCM.

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Kim D

I definitely need some quiet time for myself to recharge - I'll take a nap, go for a walk outside alone, or do a short meditation on the 'calm' app (if you haven't heard of this, definitely download!). Hoping to do even more self-care in 2017!

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Jamie

I know it's a classic, but when I need to recharge from a stressful day I take a long, hot bath. Epsom salts and lavender oil optional, but nice.

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Catseye

Depending on circumstances, I like to read a book, take a nap, tackle something on my to-do list, or have a GNO (girls' night out) with a good friend.

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Michelle D.

When I need to recharge a make a cup of hot tea and read a good book.

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Tabathia B

I sleep in or just curl up and read a book. I have called my mom or one of my older daughters to get their younger siblings for the day.

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Thomas Murphy

I take a nap.