We’ve all been there. Sometimes, you wake up and you just know it’s going to be a bad day. Or maybe things started off okay, and then due to bad news, low energy levels, or maybe just a classic bad mood, the day turns sour.
It’s really easy to let a bad day catch hold of you and drag you down. And then, maybe the next day starts off bad too, and the next, and the next, and before you know it, you’ve lost a week.
Mental ill health is, of course, a lot more complicated than just ‘having a bad day’. If you’re struggling, consider making an appointment with your GP.
Today, we’re sharing some tips on how to turn a bad day around. Consider trying out some of these suggestions on their own, or maybe group a few together!
If there’s one thing that’s negatively affecting your day, try thinking about it from a new perspective. Ask yourself some questions: Will this matter a year from now? and What is one small action I can take to improve this situation?
If your situation can’t be fixed by changing your viewpoint, try some of the other tips and suggestions below.
- Take a shower or a bath. The sensation of water on your skin is a good way to snap out of a negative mood or cycle. It doesn’t have to be a cold shower – although cold showers do have positive effects on your mental health!
- Look over your to do list – and simplify. This suggestion is more relevant if you’re having a bad day at work, but can also be used for days where you have a lot of tasks. Have a look at your list and remove the least significant thing. Maybe even cull a few things and move them to the next day or week. This will make your list feel less overwhelming.
- Breathe. This might seem like an obvious one, but taking two minutes out to just breathe – in through your nose and out through your mouth – can help snap you out of negative thought spirals. It’s calming for your body and your mind.
- Go outside. Here’s another obvious one! I’m sure we’ve all heard people waxing lyrical about the benefits of going for a walk outside, but it is a proven way to improve your mood. If walking or jogging feels like too much, even sticking your head out the window and breathing some fresh air can help!
A lot of these suggestions aim to shake you out of a slump – a shower, a walk, intentional breathing – they’re all designed to draw a line under your bad mood, and help you to get back on track. Sometimes, however, these tips don’t work, and your bad day remains a bad day. Try and be kind to yourself when this happens. Acknowledge the steps you have taken to try and turn things around, and remember that there’s always tomorrow!
Get in touch if you have your own suggestions for turning a bad day around. Just email maddy@mindwavesnews.com or message us on social media. Our X is @mindwaves1 and our Instagram is @mindwaves_scot
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