Strategies For Dealing With a Bad Day

Strategies For Dealing With a Bad Day

Therapy

Have you ever had one of those mornings where everything that could go wrong did go wrong?

Maybe you accidentally set your alarm for 7 PM instead of 7 AM.

Or maybe your coffee maker made that funny noise again.

Either way, you are not feeling your best. Here’s the deal. One tough morning does not have to set the tone for your entire day. 

If you put the work in, a bad morning can easily be turned into a good afternoon.

Listen to Music You Love

Some catchy beats and good lyrics can transform your mood faster than you’d think. And if you want to go the extra mile, you can even dance and sing along.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, listening to some soft music can help calm you down.

But if you’re feeling frustrated, an upbeat and happy song may be what you need. Give it a try and see what happens. 

Make a Gratitude List

Practicing gratitude is a great habit 365 days a year. However, when you’re having a bad day, sometimes you need to amp it up a notch. In addition to writing down what you are grateful for, take some time to think about the why.

Why are you grateful for your friends?

Why are you grateful for your job?

Really take some time to think about it.

Focus On Your Breathing

When we’re angry, overwhelmed or anxious, it’s common to start taking shallow breaths without even realizing it.

That kind of breathing can be exhausting and even make you feel worse. The good news is, there is a solution – and it’s called belly breathing. There are several tutorials online you can follow along with for further assistance.

However, here is a quick step by step overview that can help get you started.

1) Sit or lie down somewhere comfortable.

2) Very slowly, breathe in through your nose until your tummy is full with air.

3) Slowly breathe out through your nose.

4) Put one hand on your belly and the other on your chest.

5) When you breathe in, you should feel your belly rise. When you breathe out, you should feel your belly lower.

6) Repeat the above as needed until you feel better.

Final Thoughts

One bad day does not define you. Even though you may not be feeling your best at the moment, this feeling is only temporary, and it shall pass.