Everyone has bad days. Sometimes, you might have really bad days. You might have days where the constant flow of communication and the busy atmosphere that you’re submerged in become too much. You might have days when you just really need to be alone. You might have days when you want to collect your thoughts, shut yourself out from surrounding noise, and retreat into a place where there are no loud neighbors or doors slamming in the background. How can you possibly find this space when everyone is everywhere all of the time?
1. Go for a walk. Go for a run. Go for a bike ride. Just go somewhere and move a bit.
2. Put on headphones and listen to music. Block out the sound around you and close your eyes.
3. Watch a movie. Take a break from whatever you are doing for an hour and a half.
4. Read something. Look up poems, quotes, or old messages from friends. Re-read the words that you’ve underlined in books and look back at the pages that you dog-eared.
5. Create lists or draw pictures. Put all of your concentration on this one simple task.
6. Drink green tea.
7. Eat something sweet. Actually taste your food and concentrate on what you’re putting into your body.
8. Lay in bed. Bury yourself in pillows and blankets.
9. Take a few deep breaths.
10. Go to the library. Find a corner that is semi-private and recharge.
11. Take a shower.
12. Take 2 showers. Burn your skin because the water coming out is so hot.
13. Go to bed early or take a nap. Sometimes, all that you need is a good night’s sleep.
14. Grab coffee by yourself. Focus on what is happening to you specifically. Ignore the noise of people around you.
15. Take a drive.
16. Listen to your favorite music on repeat until you start to feel better.
17. Call your parents. Talk through your bad day to someone who will actually listen.
18. Turn your phone off and avoid going on the internet. Get off the map.
19. Concentrate on your breathing.
20. Pause for a second. Think about where you are in relation to the world. Think about all of the good and bad days that have floated past you and how, regardless of the day, they still continue to move forward.
