A bad day every now and then is inevitable. How we handle days like these is really important in deciding if the sad feelings only last for a few hours or take over your entire day. It can be much easier to get yourself out of a slump when you have your friends and family around, but what about those days when you're completely alone? Here are some of my tips for overcoming a bad day and being your own cheerleader!
Get it all out.
Try writing (or typing) your thoughts out. Sometimes it can feel silly, writing something that no one will ever read, but it can be incredibly relieving and gives you something to look back on so you can possibly prevent those sad feelings in the future.
Distract yourself.
I like to find some things to distract myself rather than dwelling on sad thoughts all day. Try watching a funny tv show or movie, or even clean/organize your apartment. Finding things that distract you really help turn a bad day into a good one.
Treat yo self!
It's all too easy to "go go go!" and forget that we need to take breaks to care for ourselves as well. Go shopping, cook your favorite meal, practice your favorite hobby that you usually don't have time for - do something solely for you.
Take a nap.
Personally, I always feel better after a nap. Sometimes all you really need to do to feel better is to just recharge.
Self reflect.
Whenever I start feeling down or really sad, I try to stop, reflect, and get to the root of my feelings. For me, whenever I am down, it is usually a build up of multiple situations. I try to find the root of the "problem" so that I can better assess my feelings and truly figure out what needs to be done to feel better.
Cultivate gratitude.
Practicing genuine gratitude on a daily basis has been a major source of healing in my life. Whenever I step back and notice everything I have to be grateful for, it makes me feel like I have everything I need and that nothing is lacking. It makes me feel whole.
Take small steps.
Lying in bed wishing you could just pull the covers over your head and go back to sleep? It’s OK to keep lying there. Maybe do one small thing that might make you feel a bit better. Like smile for ten seconds. Or stretch a little. I know you don’t feel like smiling or stretching. But give it a shot.
I really hope these tips help. I have had many hard days alone and I can sympathize with you if you're having one right now And at various times I did all of these things. They certainly weren’t cures in themselves (that usually requires working with professionals), but they always took the edge off. And they helped me get through the day.
How do you get through a sad day alone?
