Let’s talk about something that’s super important but often overlooked: your social battery. You know that feeling when you’ve just wrapped up an amazing interview, but instead of feeling pumped, you’re completely drained? Don’t worry; it’s a totally normal experience for podcasters and we’re here to show you a few ways you can recharge.
What Does Your Social Battery Mean?
So, what exactly is a social battery? Think of it like the battery on your phone or laptop. Just like those devices need energy to function, you need energy for social interactions. Everyone’s social battery is different.
Some people, especially extroverts, actually feel recharged after social interactions. But for many others, particularly introverts, social interactions can be exhausting, leaving them feeling wiped out. Of course, everyone has a different battery size too. No matter what your battery is like though, you can hold successful interviews. You just need to find some strategies you can use to recharge after that interview ends.
Why You Might Feel Drained After Recording an Interview
If you’re like us, after recording an interview you usually feel like you need a serious nap. And we don’t mean a small cat nap. But, why do we feel drained after recording an interview that went great? Here are a few common causes:
- Mental Energy: Recording an interview is a mental workout, and just like physical exercise, it can be exhausting. You’re not just having a casual chat; you’re actively listening to your guest, processing their ideas, and thinking about how to guide the conversation in a meaningful direction.
- Maintaining Your Tone: As the host, you’ve got to keep the energy up and maintain your unique tone throughout the interview. Even if you’re feeling drained, you’ve got to put on your best podcaster face and keep things flowing smoothly.
- Emotional Investment: When you’re talking to a guest about their story, experiences, or expertise, you’re not just gathering information – you’re forming a connection with them. You might find yourself feeling empathy, excitement, or even frustration depending on the topic. All of those emotions can take a toll on your energy levels.
- Pressure: Let’s face it, recording an interview puts us under a lot of pressure even if you keep your full-time job while starting your podcast. To make an interview valuable, insightful, and engaging for your listeners, you need to constantly think about how to ask the right questions, keep the conversation on track, and pull out the most interesting nuggets of information. That’s a lot of mental multitasking.
So, if you’re feeling like you need to recharge after an interview, know that it’s a normal part of the podcasting experience.
4 Strategies to Recharge Your Social Battery After an Interview
Finding what works best for you is the key to recharging after an interview. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t share a few strategies you can try that work for us!
Plan a Break After Every Interview
Even if you’re tempted to dive right into editing your podcast or start prepping for your next episode, give yourself some time to decompress. Step away from your recording setup and do something that helps you relax and unwind. That might mean brewing a cup of tea, doing some stretches, or just taking a few deep breaths. The important thing is to give your mind and body a chance to transition out of “interview mode” and start the recharging process.
If you’re someone who finds relaxation in mindfulness or meditation, this is a great time to practice those techniques. Even just a few minutes of focused breathing or guided visualization can help calm your mind and release any tension or stress from the interview. Basically, avoid scheduling podcast guests directly before or after another task.
Exercise
Another great way to recharge your social battery is to get moving. Exercise is a fantastic way to boost your mood, increase your energy levels, and clear your head. You don’t have to go all out with a high-intensity workout (unless that’s your thing!) – even a quick walk around the block or some gentle yoga can make a big difference. Just get your blood flowing to give yourself a mental break from podcasting.
Connect with Friends or Family
Spending quality time with family and friends, whether in person or virtually, can give you a much-needed boost of positive energy. Talking to someone you trust about your podcasting experience can also help you process any emotions or challenges that came up during the interview.
Practice Regular Self-Care
As a podcaster, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and put your own needs on the back burner. But taking care of yourself is essential for maintaining your mental health and avoiding burnout. Make time for activities that bring you joy and help you relax, whether that’s reading a book, taking a bubble bath, or pursuing a creative hobby. And even though podcasting can be a hobby, try to pursue a different one when decompressing.
Creating a Post-Interview Routine
Having a consistent plan in place is key to managing your energy levels and avoiding burnout in the long run. It’s simply the best way to work more efficiently as a podcaster. Of course, you need to find the strategies that work for you when it comes to recharging your social battery. But, once you find a few strategies that work, building out a routine, just like you create a content calendar, makes it easy to take the steps you need to prevent burnout. To give you an example, here’s what our post-interview routine looks like:
- Take a few deep breaths and do some gentle stretches to release any tension from the interview.
- Brew a cup of your favorite tea or grab a healthy snack to refuel.
- Take a quick walk around the block to get some fresh air and clear your head.
- Spend 10-15 minutes journaling or free-writing to process any thoughts or emotions that came up during the interview.
- Connect with a loved one, even if it’s just a quick text or social media message.
Conclusion
Even after all this talk of specifics, remember that the most important aspect of keeping your social battery charged is prioritizing your own well-being. It’s an essential, but oftentimes overlooked, aspect for creating a sustainable and fulfilling podcasting career. Oh, one more thing! Never forget that you can always lean on the podcasting community along with the Independent Podcast Network for the support you need.
