Why is it that some friends tire us out, while others are just ‘there’? socialbattery
– social interaction in general can prove demanding as they are much more attuned to others’ moods and environmental stimuli, while someone else might require a great deal of social and environmental input to experience the world optimally,” Dr Arroll explains. “The key is developing self-knowledge and awareness so that you can tailor your interactions to your innate needs.”
What Dr Arroll is saying makes sense when you consider all the different ways that introversion and extroversion can materialise. Two people who identify as introverts will have different needs when it comes to socialising, but that doesn’t mean they’re not introverted – all that label really means is that being in social situations tends to drain their energy, rather than boost it.
“Because we don’t always have control over our daily social interactions, knowing how to restore your social battery is very important – this is often in the form of solitary time, connecting with nature or being with those that refresh your energy, among other measures,” Dr Arroll says.“By dedicating some time and effort to increasing self-knowledge of your personal social battery, you will boost its efficiency and be better able to flourish in the social world.