Happy hump day! This is a simple blog post where I am going to list my five favorite ways to recharge. Merriam-Webster defines the word recharge as, "to inspire or invigorate afresh." So I am going to share the best ways I have found to stay inspired and invigorated throughout the ups and downs of a week.

1.) Quality Time in Devotions

I am such a Bible nerd. Literally the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning, after getting a huge cup of coffee, is to camp out at my study nook with my notebook and Bible. I could do it for hours if nothing else got in the way. It's extremely rewarding and I never regret putting the time in. Sure it's taken time to figure out what works best for me, study methods, journaling, etc., but that hour in the morning is always the highlight of my day.

2.) Arts or Crafts

Painting, making cards, sketching, coloring, fill in the blank--I love it all. Being creative has always helped me recharge in ways that not a lot of other habits can. Actually there have been studies about the connection between our hands and our brains--in a way that proves how working with our hands on some level is quite beneficial for our mental health. In a world where we spend so much time living our lives on autopilot with our eyes glued to a screen so often, it's more important than ever that we find ways to use our hands throughout a day to engage different parts of our brain.

Hearing about this psychological connection now confirms that it's not "all in my head" when I get a feeling of relaxation and even euphoria when I spend time painting or crafting with my hands. Check out this article for more information about why working with your benefits your brain. For more on my personal art, check out this post and this post.

3.) Writing

Journaling, writing poetry, or blogging. Especially writing poetry. I've always enjoyed poetry because it's challenging and captures emotions in a powerful way. But any kind of writing is extremely recharging for me. Sometimes I want to start short stories, or simply just write about my day. Other times I want to write about something I care about or express my feelings about a book or movie. That's a big part of why I started this blog, actually, because I wanted a platform to be able to write about whatever I wanted and be able to share it for anyone who might be interested or else for my own future use down the road.

4.) Podcasts

The world of podcasts has certainly exploded over the past several years. I am a later bloomer, but I am constantly blown away by how many podcasts are available on almost any subject. I love to listen to podcasts about anything ranging from faith and theology to psychology and relationships to various kinds of history. There is something very relaxing about listening to programs and giving your mind a small vacation, especially when you are driving or doing chores and want to tune out. I find podcasts especially helpful when I can't sleep at night, as listening to something forces my mind to disengage from the whirlwind of thoughts that can keep me awake.

5.) Books & Baths

Epsom salt, bubbles, and a good book are a winning combination. I'm obsessed with warmth. So that includes blankets, heating pads and of course hot baths. Feeling warm water hug your body is probably one of the most comforting and relaxing experiences for me. Whether you are sick or not, taking baths, especially with epsom salt, is a great way to detox and de-stress your body. The other benefit is that sitting in the tub for a good 20-30 minutes gives you the perfect opportunity to read without distractions. It's amazing how much better I focus on books when I have absolutely nothing else to distract me.

Well, those are my top five ways to refresh my mind. I'd love to hear suggestions for other creative or interesting ways to recharge!