How to stop networking from making you feel like a tired zombie

How to stop networking from making you feel like a tired zombieHow to stop networking from making you feel like a tired zombieNetworking events can require a ton of preparation, but the other half of the battle is staying energized once you get there. Here are four ways to do so.Give yourself a breakJordana Valencia, Executive Director of Reach Labs and People Development Lead atIdeaSpace, writes in the Harvard Business Review about how entrepreneurs should use microbreaks to reenergize during networking events.Research shows thatmicrobreaks, or nonwork periods of less than 10 minutes in duration, can help replenish a persons energy resources so that theyre able to continue their work tasks. A one-minute break can be just as effective as taking a longer break of five or nine minutes This makes microbreaks ideal for busy entrepreneurs, she writes. To have a reenergizing microbreak, founders should engage in an activity they enjoy that allows them to mentally detach from their networki ng tasks. A microbreak activity could be as simple as watching a funny video on YouTube or reading an engaging article ontheir phone. Whats important is that founders fully disengage from networking while they do the activity. To effectively disengage, try excusing yourself for a few minutes so that you can step away fromthenetworking event.Dont over-extend yourselfKara J. Andersen, an education content specialist at ActiveCampaign, writes in The Muse about how introverts can stay energized in different scenarios. One of her tips is to schedule smart.If you consider the kind of work you do throughout the day, you might find that it falls into two categories work that requires some human interaction and thus a more dynamic presence, and work you can do independently that doesnt exhaust the same energy reserves. When possible, schedule these tasks around when youre typically feeling most and least energetic during the day, she writes. Its probably also helpful to set a limit for yours elf. Maybe you want to commit to no more than three social engagements per week. Or, if youre pitching a new idea to your team on Friday morning, schedule plenty of alone time for Thursday evening. Along those same lines, if you have a big event after work, aim for more low-key desk work that afternoon. Give yourself a gunst der stunde to summon your strength and prepare for battle whenever possible.Have comfortable shoes with youLadies, whether theyre already on your feet or in your bag, youre going to want to have comfortable shoes nearby.This doesnt mean you have to ditch the professional heels that make you feel most powerful- just make sure that if theyre uncomfortable after a while, youre never too far away from another option that will give your toes a rest.But the same thing goes for everyone else dont struggle through networking events in uncomfortable kicks if you dont have to.Eat and drink upDont even think about skipping breakfast and/or lunch this will probably make it a whole lot harder for you to be your best in the company of others.If you dont eat and hydrate you wont have enough energy to make valuable connections.