How the Wellbeing Battery helps you Recover
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How the Wellbeing Battery Helps You Recover (and Prevent Burnout)
Blog 2 of 4 in introductory series written by Sal:
As a physio, I’ve worked with many people in pain—and I’ve learned that recovery isn’t just about stretching or strengthening. It’s about people as a whole and often their energy levels.
More specifically, it’s about how much battery life you have to bring to your recovery.
That’s why I created the Wellbeing Battery—a framework for understanding and honouring your energy levels. At Barefoot Physiotherapy, we’ve found that clients who use the Battery experience more consistent healing, fewer flare-ups, and feel more in control of their health journey.
So how does it work?
The Wellbeing Battery breaks your energy into five levels, each with its own feel, signals, and strategies. Whether you’re in the Red Zone (close to burnout) or cruising in Blue (fully charged), your body is constantly communicating with you. The Battery helps you listen.
When we know our level, we can match our actions to our capacity. And this is crucial for recovery.
Let me explain with an example we see often: someone recovering from back pain might try to “power through” their exercises even when they’re flat, physically depleted, and mentally foggy. They think they’re helping as they are ‘taking care of themselves’—but it can set them back as they are doing too much for how much battery they have right now.
By using the Battery, we change the conversation from “What should I be doing?” to “What do I have the capacity for today?” .
You can have honest real conversations with your health professionals and people around you.
What we’ve seen at Barefoot:
- Clients better able to self-manage between sessions by working out what level they are at and therefore what works best for them.
- Less guilt around needing rest or adjustment to how the day/week is setup.
- Better communication with partners, colleagues, and health teams .
- Increased resilience during illness, stress, or injury flare-ups when able to work through and improve energy levels over time.
Putting it into practise
As the creator of the Wellbeing Battery and Director at Barefoot, I’m proud to say we’re leading the way in blending evidence-based physiotherapy with real-life self-awareness tools. This isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what’s right for you—right now.
The Wellbeing Battery is your invitation to check in, slow down, and show up from wherever you’re at—not where you think you should be.
Because your body is wise. Your energy matters. And recovery happens best when you meet yourself with compassion.
Want to know more?
- Read Blog 3 here on communication
- Speak with your Barefoot Physio
- Reach out to me on sal@barefootphysiotherapy.com.au