LIFE

Sometimes bad days can feel like they will last forever, and what’s even worse is that they can make you feel down on yourself—even when it’s not your fault. Well, the good news about bad days is that everyone has them and there *are* ways to fix them. So here are 10 things to try next time you’re having a no good, very bad day.

1. Take a walk. 

You don’t realize how much taking a walk can do until you try it for yourself. Next time nothing seems to be going right, just get up and walk towards the door. Take 5-10 minutes to get moving. It doesn’t have to be fast; it can be as slow as you like. Just let your mind wander and get some fresh air. A change of scenery might be exactly what your body needs to keep going.

2. Watch the sunset.

Sometimes all we need is a little reminder that the world is bigger than us and our problems. What's a better way to do this than watch the sunset? Plan your day around being able to get outside when the sun goes down. Sit on a hill, park bench, wherever you’re most comfortable and just breathe. Reflect on all the good things in your life and watch the sunset as a reminder that every bad day ends, and with it comes a new day to try again.

3. Take a shower.

We’ve all expereinced this: going through a long day, coming home, showering... and suddenly we feel so much better. Next time you're having a day that’s in the dumps, take a long hot shower and wash it all away. Let your muscles relax and rinse that bad day right down the drain.

4. Organize something.

It might sound funny to add extra work to your load when you’re already having a bad day, but organizing is a great way to feel in charge of your life. Bad days usually consist of a lot of things that are out of your control, so by taking the time to be exercise your authority in one area, you’ll start to feel better. Not to mention a clean space always feels like a fresh start.

5. Watch something funny.

Skip the drama and reality TV and go for the laughs. Throw on an episode of Whose Line is It Anyway or any other funny show you can think of. You’ve heard it said that laughter is the best medicine, so put it to the test and see how you feel after some big-belly chuckles.

6. Write it out.

You know all those negative thoughts that have been swimming in circles in your head all day? Get them down on paper. Once you’ve written them all down, let them go: throw away that yucky list. What’s done is done, and things will start looking up for you again soon. Then begin a new list of things that have been going well for you and hang them up on your mirror. Remind yourself of what you are grateful for and you'll feel a lot luckier.

7. Cry.

Sometimes you get a day so bad that the only remedy is to just sit down and have a good cry. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Allow yourself to shed the tears you’ve been holding in all day. Let yourself cry, then let yourself feel better.

8. Call someone who loves you.

The people who love us are the people who know us best, so give one of them a call. Whether it's your mom, dad, grandma, grandpa or BFF, vent to them or just make small talk. Let them lift your spirits with funny stories, or allow them to commiserate with you in your gloom. Let someone who knows you remind you of how great you are.

9. Turn off social media.

Yes, it’s nice to keep in touch with the world, but bad days are a good time to unplug. Don’t get caught up in what everyone else is doing and how great things *seem* to be for them—just focus on having some “me” time instead. All those Snapchats will still be there tomorrow.

10. Drive around to your favorite tunes.

Text a friend to pick you up or ask your parents to take a drive with you. Give yourself a little pick me up by taking over the aux cord and playing all your favorite songs or throwbacks. Let go of the haunting day you had and live in the moment. Driving not an option? A dance party or sing-along will do just fine.

Bad days are a part of life, but if you know how to combat them, they won’t seem as bad next time.

What do you do when you’re having a bad day?

by Sarah Fritz | 6/28/2016