This is a guest post by Lea, an optimist, a creator and motivator
Life is uncertain! Not all days will be a cake walk! While some days will take you to the moon, some other bad days will hit you so hard that you can’t even gather the strength to stand back on your feet.
Work, bills, relationship issues, rejection, failure or usual everyday-life’s problems can bring us down pretty badly. Sometimes things just get too overwhelming or we go through a really hard time. We all have gone through the turmoil of bad days the effect of which even lasted for days and weeks that followed. And trust me these bad days will continue to visit us in regular intervals till the last day of our lives.
Since this is a natural process and there are things beyond our control, so the best thing to do is to prepare ourselves to face the problems of life with a positive approach.
We don’t have to sit back and be miserable as there are some ways to come out of daily depression. This post lists some simple, yet effective things that everybody can do without much effort which not will distract us, make the mood better and may even turn a bad day into a good one again!
Music to the rescue
Studies have shown that music has a huge influence on our mood and even alleviates depression. The best thing that works, is making a “feel good” playlist you can listen to when you need to lift your mood. Put songs in there that have a funky tune, makes you smile or want to dance.
It works wonders! If you don’t want to make your own playlist you can search for them online, there are plenty enough out there that might be able to help you too!
Watch a funny movie or TV show
Or a YouTube video! Whatever it is, the most important thing to remember is that it should at least make you smile. Not only will the funny videos help you get into a better mood but also the motion of a simple smile helps release endorphins which makes a pleasant mood!
A little chuckle is worth everything on bad days. Additionally, this will help you get your mind off your own life and focus on the problems of the fictional characters for a while. You will be able to remove yourself from your life, take a step back and see everything clearer. After taking a small break you will often realize that you feel much better about it.
Write everything down that is bothering you
Many of us can’t afford a therapist or simply don’t want to visit one. But a journal can be a very good substitute therapist. Just getting everything that is clouding your mind onto the page relieves your mind immensely. If you don’t have anybody to talk to, you definitely have pen and paper, always!
Take a walk
Even if you just want to curl up in your bed, getting up and moving a little will stimulate your blood flow and release endorphins. Walking is a great mood enhancer. Read this study to understand the science behind this.
You can also do Yoga or some light weight exercises. As long as you move your body, you’re good! Help your head out a little with making it concentrate on moving your limbs instead of everything that happened on that bad day.
Accept it
You can’t possibly have always a good day. No one does! And sometimes all you have to do is forgive yourself for not being on top of your game. Remind yourself that it’s okay to have a bad day and that whatever it is you’re feeling right now is clouding your mind and that things aren’t as bad as you think in that moment.
Because, as cliché as it sounds, it will get better. The secret is to fight through it and the knowledge that the bad times are definitely, 100% going to be over soon can be enough motivation and solace to make yourself feel better.
Express yourself creatively
Several experts link creative expression to overall well-being. It allows you to reflect on your thoughts and experiences such as your bad day. You can paint, draw, knit or dance. However you want to express yourself creatively, there are no limits!
Pet your animal
It’s no news that our pets are more than just furry friends. They are our best friends. No matter how rudely the world behaves, they will still treat us their hero. Lie down next to your cat and enjoy the calming purr. Or hug your dog! No matter how bad your day was, they will still be there to love you.
If you don’t have a pet, it also helps to just watch a few online videos of talking parrots, puppies or fighting kangaroos! Whatever you like best.
Take a hot bath
Take some time just for yourself, drop a bath bomb into the water and let your body relax. Close your eyes, enjoy the silence, or listen to some calming music.
Drink some Tea
There are a lot of tea varieties that have a stress relieving effect, such as chamomile, lavender or peppermint. There are studies that state that hydration can alter someone’s mood. So if you don’t like tea have a glass of water this works just as well!
Pursue a Hobby
Just doing what you love to do is one of the most important things to relieve stress and increase the mood. Give yourself the time to engage in your hobby and just have fun! Enjoy the time and forget about the world (though it will be tough).
Apart from these you can discover your own coping mechanisms of course! No one knows you better than yourself and there might be some other ways that may work for you.
Find out the best ways that help you get over a bad day and better days will be already on their way.
Over to you
How do you manage to cope up with an unusually bad day? If a certain technique has worked for you, hopefully it will work for some more people. So please share your experiences with us.
About the Author
Lea is a Photographer, Graphic-Designer, Artist and Blogger who aspires to help others to improve their lives with the help of their own thoughts, Inspiration and Art. Read her thoughts at www.louandlea.com
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Twitter: @louandlea
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Great blog post Tuhin!
When running late, I apply my mascara and lipstick on the train. I was not best pleased this morning on realising my mascara was not in my bag. I had two choices;
1. Allow this to upset me
2. Accept I would not wear mascara for one day
Occasionally my train is cancelled or I miss my connecting train. At the time it seriously bothers me but I try to stay level headed. The saying “There is no use crying over spilt milk” rings true though it feels painful at the time.
Wonderful suggestions! I don’t have bad days, but I’ll sure admit to bad moments here and there. I usually say a prayer and try deep breathing. If that doesn’t help me get my act together, I know a brisk walk around the neighborhood will almost always straighten me out. And yes, the next day/moment, things are better.
Wonderful tips! From one optimist to another, I’m normally able to shake off a mood pretty easily. Getting outside with my dog normally does the trick.
What great suggestions and all are so ‘doable’. My most effective way to overcome the bad day blues is by singing “I believe” and songs like it. Of course, with my voice my singing often causes others to have a bad day LOL.
I know I have some bad day, even severe ones.
For me, it is music, and accept it, that get me through it.
Accepting the fact that things happen, and are in the past, is probably the most important. Sometimes, you just got to shake the dirt off you and realize you are starting it over again tomorrow.
I’ve had some very bad days in my life, and discovered that I had the inner strength to move on. You can’t escape some of life’s worst moments — a death, divorce, serious illness. But you’ve given us some excellent resources to help us feel better and stronger.
This post made me think of U2’s “Some Days Are Better Than Others” – an excellent song for a “feel good” playlist – in which Bono sings, “And some days have bouncers and won’t let you in.”
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