What is recovery?

Are you a person who usually gets on with things, without considering what you really need to feel good?

The mere idea of giving yourself a full day off a week, taking regular breaks during the study day or stopping studying before a task feels like it’s completely done can seem impossible for some people, but may be necessary to prevent ill health. What gives energy is easily prioritised away when we have a lot to do. This can involve skipping meals and breaks, not seeing friends or sleeping less in the belief that you can then get more done. Below are some areas that are usually important for us to have energy.

Food, sleep and exercise
Almost all advice on taking care of yourself includes eating regularly, sleeping enough and engaging in physical activity regularly. When we meet these needs, it contributes to increased resilience and makes us able to put up with more. The production of stress hormones is reduced, and we’re better able to handle everyday demands.

Recovery
Recovery is what we do to regain balance after expending energy. Sleep, in addition to its other important functions, is a major source of recovery. Another helpful rule of thumb is to do something that ”contrasts” with what you’ve been doing previously. For example, moving your body after sitting and studying all day, going outside after being indoors for a long time, or doing something calm after being active.

What feels restorative varies from person to person. Some people feel relaxed watching a TV series, others when taking a walk, drawing or playing an instrument. Recovery can be both passive (being still) and active (doing something or being physically active).

Socialising and other enjoyable activities
For many people, social interaction is restorative and energising. This can be online, in groups or one-to-one. For others, socialising is enjoyable but draining rather than energising. In those cases, it’s important to plan recovery wisely – time alone to unwind may be needed after social activities. Activities that make you happy or that feel fun, interesting or meaningful can also provide energy. This means allowing yourself to do what matters to you, not only what you feel you have to do.

Examples of recovery activities:

Hot bath or shower
Reading
Relaxation exercise
Yoga
Being in nature
Singing in a choir
Working out/other forms of training
Going for a coffee/talking to a friend
Listening to music
Watching a film
“Just being”
Engage in a hobby

Before moving on, pause and reflect on what’s restorative for you and whether you get enough recovery and energy replenishment in everyday life. Use the questions below to help you reflect.