Off days. We all have them. Sometimes, there’s a clear reason why: we get some bad news, overhear a negative comment directed at us, face a setback.
But other times, we just roll out of bed feeling wonky and it only gets worse as the day goes on. Either way, bad days suck and no one wants to endure one.
So here are some simple ways to feel a little better, and get back on track. No more letting a funky mood ruin an entire day!
1. Reset!
Resetting your day or your mood, is critical.
There are lots of different ways to do this, and depending on how much time you have, or what kind of relaxation you enjoy the most, different options will be best for different times.
For example, you could take a bath, luxuriating in the bubbles, or a long shower, taking an extra moment to relax in the hot water, and come out feeling fresh, clean and new—ready to start anew.
If being active is more of your thing, you could go for a long run or walk, or attend your favorite workout class.
Sweating out your stress and anxiety is always a good way to go, and those endorphins that come with a good workout will push your mood in a more positive direction.
2. Seek out positivity.
When we’ve been sucked in by a bad mood, the last thing we want to do is focus on the positive. It’s much easier and it requires much less energy to wallow in our misery than to climb out of it.
But finding the positive is an incredibly important thing to do, otherwise, we’ll remain in our funk indefinitely.
So the next time you’re having an off day, make a list of 10 things you’re thankful for, or talk to a friend who’s encouraging and has a glass-half full kind of outlook.
3. Pay it forward.
One thing that we’re definitely guilty of when we’re down in the dumps is focusing on ourselves. When things go wrong in our lives, we tend to obsess over them.
We wonder why things went wrong, how we can fix them, and how to prevent them from happening again. We wallow in self-pity.
But an easy way to get out of this pit is by doing something, anything, for someone else. It can be as easy as grabbing your co-worker some fresh coffee when you head down to the break room to top off your own cup, or making a donation to a charity you believe in.
Anything that takes the focus off of you and your problems and is put on someone else that improves their life is an instant mood booster.
4. Take some time for things you love.
When we’re stressed, overwhelmed, or upset, sometimes the last thing or, alternatively, the only thing, we want to do is to spend time in our hobbies.
But taking a break to de-stress and to indulge ourselves can be a really good thing. Grab that book you’ve been reading, turn on the show that’s up next in your Netflix queue, get out your knitting needles or paints, and settle in for some “me” time.
Doing things you love can make you feel more satisfied and make your life more full, and it can really help you shake off that bad day once and for all.
Image: iStock
Reflect & Refresh 