An occasional bad day is inevitable. Even if you got up, did your positive affirmations, exercised, ate a healthy breakfast, and did everything correctly, things out of your control can ruin your mood. In a world where there is so much positivity and beauty, there is also negativity and drama.
The good news is that you can learn to love yourself through these challenging times. Why is it that people immediately start to beat up on themselves when things don’t go the way they intend? Rather than delving into the negativity and problems of the day, you can help turn your mood around by taking care of yourself.
Fifty Things You Can Do for Yourself on A Bad Day
The next time everything seems to be going wrong, and you can’t get ahead, try one of these fifty things to help put you in a better mood.
1. Go for A Walk in The Sunshine
There’s nothing better than going for a walk in the sunshine. If you’re having a bad day, you won’t be able to stay downtrodden when you’re basking in the golden rays. The sun is very healing to your mind, body, and soul.
2. Treat Yourself to A Gift
Is there something that you’ve been wanting to buy for yourself but haven’t done it yet? Why not treat yourself to that special item? You work hard, so you deserve rewards on occasion.
3. Phone A Friend
No one can help you through rough times like a good friend. Phone that person that always knows just what to say to make things better. A good chat session will improve your mood and help you get through the rest of the day.
4. Take A Bubble Bath
Is there anything more soothing and relaxing than a bubble bath? When you’ve submerged in a tub of hot water with bubbles all around, it’s as if the cares of life just fade away. Light some candles for yourself to give the soaking session extra ambiance.
5. Watch Some Comedy Videos
Laughter is truly the best medicine, and there are studies to prove it. According to the National Institute of Medicine, belly laughing helps to release feel-good hormones in your body. You can find hilarious videos all over the internet that will make you chuckle.
6. Write in Your Gratitude Journal
A gratitude journal helps you stay grounded and be thankful for all your blessings that Mother Earth has given you. Even when you are mad at the world and feel the world has been cruel to you, you can learn to be thankful. The sun will shine again, and it helps when you have gratitude in your heart.
7. Meditate
Meditation puts you in a better mindset. You can purge the negativity from your mind that seems to be drowning you. Meditation is great because you can do it in the office, the bathroom at work, or in your car on your break.
8. Practice Yoga
Yoga is another ancient practice that can help to purge negativity from your body. When you’re under stress, your muscles can hold onto that tension. Thankfully, yoga is one way that you can release all that tension from your system.
9. Cry and Let It All Out
There’s nothing like a good cry to purge all the bad feelings from the inside out. Don’t bottle things up, as they can quickly become a time bomb. It’s okay to cry, even for guys.
10. Dance Like No One Is Watching You
There’s something magical about dancing. Put on some great music and just cut loose. Moving your body is good exercise, and it will help to release those feel-good endorphins.
11. Sing with Your Favorite Music
Grab the hairbrush and pretend you’re a rock star. Music is a great motivator, and it’s even used in therapy for those with Alzheimer’s disease. According to the National Library of Medicine, they can calm patients with sundown syndrome just by playing some catchy tunes.
12. Bake Something Yummy
Baking can be great medicine for your bad day. When you’re in the kitchen creating a masterpiece with your hands, it can boost your mood. Who can be sad when you’re making something delicious like chocolate chip cookies?
13. Walk Barefooted in The Grass
If your mood is terrible because you had a bad day, and you’re not sure if you can make it till tomorrow, then take off your shoes. That’s right; take off your shoes and walk outside barefoot. There’s something euphoric about feeling the earth beneath your feet that helps to ground you and re-center your life.
14. Organize Something
When your life feels like it’s falling apart and everything is a mess, organizing something can make you feel much better. It’s time to clean those closets anyway.
15. Take A Nap
A nap can reset your stress levels and bring some relief. Try not to sleep for more than two hours, or it will interrupt your rest at night.
16. Take the Day Off
If things are bad one day, then you should take a whole or half a day off. There’s no reason to sit at the office and be miserable when you can go home and get some of the negativity out of your system.
17. Call Your Parents
No one seems to have better words of wisdom than good old mom and dad. When things are going so wrong, and you’ve had a bad day, why not give them a call?
18. Go for A Bike Ride
Riding a bike is a great workout that works for all your major muscle groups, plus it makes you feel better. It’s hard to focus on your troubles when you’re outside smelling flowers and feeling the winds from Mother Nature blow across your face.
19. Light Scented Candles
Aromatherapy has long been used to enhance moods. If you feel like your mood is tanking, then light some candles or use some essential oils. Lavender is known to lift your spirits and make you calmer.
20. Sit on The Porch Swing with Fresh Lemonade
Many great books and songs start on a porch swing. Is there anything more refreshing than a glass of lemonade and a nice swing on a beautiful day?
21. Go to A Lake or The Beach
Water is a calming element that can help you with your mood. No matter how bad your day, tip your toes in the water and let the cares of life fade away.
22. Listen to Stories of Encouragement from Ted Talks
Ted Talks are one of the greatest motivational inventions around. You can choose from 100s of stories of people who have accomplished major things. Your troubles will pare in comparison when you hear some of the heroic tales and troubles of others.
23. Go for A Dip in The Pool
When you need to cool off, there’s nothing better than a dip in the pool. Not only does it help you with your hot temper, but it feels great when the temperatures outside are soaring too.
24. Hit the Gym
Work out your frustrations on a punching bag or other piece of equipment. According to The National Library of Medicine, an intense workout can help to balance cortisol levels.
25. Spend Time with Your Pet
There’s something very therapeutic about pets. A recent study reviewed by the National Library of Medicine finds that those who own pets have a lower blood pressure than those who don’t have animals. This can only be beneficial when you’re all worked up after having a horrible day.
26. Have Someone Hold You Tight
Isn’t there something powerful and even tranquil about being held tightly when your whole world is falling apart? In an Autistic person, the basket hold is used to help them during a meltdown. It gives them a sense of security per Autism PDD, and it allows encourages them to get to a better place. Why wouldn’t this help you too?
27. Spend Some Time in A Hammock
While you may have a challenging time getting in and situated, there’s something extraordinary about swinging in a hammock. You don’t need two trees in proximity to hang one of these swaying beds, as ones on a stand do just as well.
28. Make A Bucket List and Dream
Perhaps the best time to dream about your future is when you feel that your current life isn’t going so well. There’s something very therapeutic about grabbing a pen and paper and making a bucket list. Plus, it will help you think about more positive things.
29. Take Yourself Out to A Nice Dinner
Why cook and create a mess when you can take yourself out on the town? Grab a friend or your partner, or you can even go by yourself to a local eatery. Try something new and adventurous that you usually wouldn’t even consider.
30. Take a Drive with The Windows Down and Music Blasting
Is there anything quite as nice as a drive in the country with your windows down? Perhaps it’s the sense that you are free and can go anywhere you want when you’re in control of the wheel. Don’t forget to play some amazing music to enhance the experience.
31. Listen to Mood Music
Music is indeed a motivator, and you can use some good tunes to keep your mood in check. The great thing about having so many different genres of music is that you can match it to your mood. Whether you’re sad and want country music or prefer heavy metal when you feel like banging your head doesn’t matter, as you’re in control.
32. Scream and Let All Your Frustrations Out
Have you ever tried screaming therapy? Well, it’s not for the faint of heart, but there’s something very therapeutic about opening your mouth and just letting out a spine-tingling scream that feels releasing.
33. Shut Yourself Away for Some Alone Time
If you want to make the world go away, then there’s no better time to do that than on a bad day. Close your door, grab your favorite blanket, and just be alone with your thoughts. Sometimes, the silence can be quite healing and turn your mood around for the better.
34. Read a Good Book
If your troubles have become too much to handle, then why not slip into a good book and get lost in a story? Whether you like fiction or nonfiction doesn’t matter, a good story will draw you in and make you forget about your troubles.
35. Have Some Wine
Having a glass of red wine is not only good for your heart, but it can be very relaxing to the entire body. Now, you don’t need to become inebriated to experience the benefits of this drink, but one glass can undoubtedly calm you down.
36. Clean Your Car
Find some mind-numbing and tedious tasks like cleaning your car to engaged in. While your vehicle probably needs a good scrubbing, it will also take your mind off the day and all your heartaches.
37. Start A New Television Series and Chill
You no longer need to wait for the next episode of your favorite show when you have so many on-demand options. Choose your favorite program provider and find a good show to binge-watch.
If you’re at a loss on what to view, then ask your friends for suggestions on social media. You will find out about all kinds of shows you never knew were out there that you would love.
38. Unplug from Technology
If you’ve had a bad day and don’t want to be disrupted anymore, then turn off all technology. The world will survive if you’re not connected to your cell phone or social media accounts for a few hours. It’s pretty stressful to be connected all the time, so disconnect and have some peace for a bit.
39. Plan a Much-Needed Vacation
Nothing can kick your bad mood to the curb like planning a week in the tropics. Where would you like to go this year for your much-needed time off? There are so many places to see and explore, and doing some travel searching while you’ve had a bad day can boost your mood.
40. Write Poetry
If you want to get into your feelings and embrace your mood, you can write poetry or a song. Did you know that some of the greatest songs ever written for this country came from times of great adversity? For instance, everyone knows the song The Star-Spangled Banner, and the story behind it is just as amazing as the song.
Frances Scott Key was a Frederick, Maryland lawyer who wrote that National Anthem during the battle, and he certainly had a bad day. During the war of 1812, Key was stationed in Fort McHenry. They were bombarded with bombs, and he didn’t know what the state of the country would be in the morning.
To his surprise, the first thing he saw when he awakened the next day was the flag still waving. Being a poet, he put his words and feelings into writing that has become one of the most popular songs of all time. Is there a song in you that’s waiting to be birthed?
41. Head to A Local Park and Swing
Sometimes you just need to chuck responsibilities and be like a kid. Head to your local park and swing for a bit. Just leave your worries and the bad day behind.
42. Look Through Old Photo Albums
Why not remember when times were much simpler by taking a stroll down memory lane? Looking through old photo albums will make you have nostalgic feelings and improve your mood.
43. Visit the Grave of a Loved One
It’s often the case that the person that is your confidant when the world is cruel has already passed on. There’s no reason why you can’t take some flowers and go to their grave to visit them. There’s undoubtedly therapy in having a conversation with someone who always had all the correct answers for you, even if they can’t physically respond.
44. Color in An Adult Coloring Book
Like them or hate them; adult coloring books can undoubtedly take your mind off your troubles. If you don’t like to be too detailed or get into all that intricate work, then you can select some easier pages.
45. Write an Old-Fashioned Letter to Someone You Love
How long has it been since you wrote a letter to someone you love? No, email doesn’t count, and text messages don’t count either. Sit down and write a letter telling someone how important they are and what they mean to you. It will certainly enhance your mood.
46. Play an Instrument
Do you play the piano, the drums, the saxophone, or another instrument? You can be the most creative and play your heart out when you’ve had a bad day. Remember, music is good therapy, so you can sing and play your way to a better mood.
Is there any better instrument than the drums to beat out all of your frustrations on?
47. Go on An Ice Cream Run
Is there anything in this world that chocolate ice cream, whipped cream, and sprinkles won’t resolve? Treat yourself to an ice cream run to one of your favorite shops. Instead of getting it to go, why not sit inside and enjoy the ambiance of a place that makes both young and old smile?
48. Do A Random Act Of Kindness
Just because your day isn’t going so well doesn’t mean you cannot make it better for someone else. You can do a random act of kindness and find great pleasure in seeing the smile on someone’s face. Paying for someone’s food in line at a drive-thru has been overdone.
While it’s a nice gesture, these people already have money, or they wouldn’t be there. Why not choose a clerk working behind the counter and bring them flowers or a gift card? They’re the ones who don’t get much money for such a challenging job.
Plus, you could run into a grocery store and pay for an older person’s groceries who is undoubtedly living on a fixed income. Think outside the box to do something truly amazing.
49. Visit Some Beautiful Places and Take Pictures
Mother Nature has painted a spectacular canvas that no artist has ever been able to do homage to. Why not find some gorgeous spots like a lake or even sunset and paint or take a picture of it? You can share your photos on social media for all to see, and you might find that your picture-taking abilities are worth selling on the online sites that encourage it.
50. Look for The Lessons
Life is about sunshine and rain, but you will learn many lessons during the various seasons. You had a bad day, but was there a lesson to be discovered in the things that happened to you? Many people want to shake off horrible experiences, but they need to investigate what can be learned to do better the next time.
Some things are far beyond your control and don’t have any lessons, but there are sometimes that the Universe is trying to teach you. Remember, to whom much is given, much is required, so you are constantly in a state of learning and teaching others about how to make the journey in life even better.
Final Thoughts on Ways to Combat A Bad Day
Everyone has bad days, but it’s what you do during these times that matter the most. This list has something for everyone with varied interests. When you feel downtrodden and like you want to throw in the towel, then use something on this list to pick yourself up and keep going.
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