12 ways to turn a bad day around

It's inevitable that you're going to have a bad day at some point in your life. no matter how hard we try to be happy, positive people, because we are human, there are going to be situations out of our control and some things are going to go completely wrong. While its inevitable that it will happen, you don't have to sit there and deal with it. Following some first hand experience and tips I've found on the internet, I've compiled some ways to help turn a bad day around.

Make a list of everything youre grateful for
One of the ways to change your perspective for the day is to focus on something else. Listing what you are grateful for will help to train your brain to look for positives in life, even during times of emotional distress. This activity will consequently reduce the amount of bad days you will actually experience- so its a win-win!

Listen to a playlist of music that makes you happy
Recently I shared a playlist that contained some of the songs that I use when I am having a bad day. I'm a firm believer that there is a song for every emotion; whether you're feeling sad, angry, happy or lonely, there's always a song out there that helps you to feel a little more settled. If you are having a down day or just a 'flat' moment, listen to some tunes that you find to be uplifting for your mood. You'll soon feel 10x better about everything. (And having a good dance isn't out of the question either!)


Phone a friend/loved one
Sometimes its a good idea when you're feeling blue to talk to someone who means a lot to you. Whether this person is a significant other, family member or just a friend, it can be very uplifting to get everything off your chest. You know what they say, "a problem shared is a problem halved" and often another point of view in a situation is just what you need to get clarity and to resolve your situation.

Take some time for yourself
Time for yourself is one of the most important things you can do; we can run around all the time making sure that we have finished our tasks, met deadlines, helped everyone else, cleaned the house etc. But sometimes we need time to just recover and be calm. This will rejuvenate you for whatever tasks you face, and can often offer clarity when your mind is spinning. A blank mind, clear of worries can be the perfect thing to resolve any issue, you'll be surprised about what you can think up when the pressure is off!

Watch something funny
Go on, do it. Laugh. It's okay. It's fun. One of the quickest ways to get over a bad day in my experience is to watch something funny. This could be anything from your favourite comedian, a YouTuber, a comedy film etc. It really is great just to lose yourself in something else for a while, and obviously laughing causes the brain to release levels of Serotonin which is the 'happy hormone' and will consequently make you happier without any effort at all.

Take a shower
This might sound a little weird but honestly I have found that taking a shower has just left me feeling so much more emotionally clean. Plus everyone knows that showering is the perfect time for the best kind of thoughts. If you're going through a pickle then shower-time thoughts can be the best way to resolve your issues. Plus being clean and fresh is good for the ego so you're sorted!

Pet an animal
My go-to animal for a bad day is either a dog or a cat- in my house we have a lot of both (3 dogs and 5 cats!) so its never a lonely time. I find that animals, as silly as it sounds, are the best listeners. There are no judgements and they will always have unconditional love for you. Added to this, cats have a known medicinal effect when they begin to purr so there are physical positives too. Overall, a cuddle with a pet is perfect form of therapy and one that has been used by people for YEARS.

Get some air
Getting outside, especially to somewhere with greenery or running water is one of the best ways to clear your mind. It's a free therapy that has wonderful exercise benefits as well. Exercising also influences your brains chemical levels positively. It's also a happy way to meet new people and increase your social skills so get yourself out there.

Get some rest
Although taking action can be a great way to get over a bad day, sometimes it takes a short power nap or an early night to give you the peace of mind to start afresh the next day.

Organise something to look forward to
Often we can get stuck in a rut because our days become so monotonous. One of the ways to bring some excitement back in is to plan something exciting, whether its with other people or not, the prospect of something fun in the near future can significantly reduce the blues that you're going to feel. Plus the social aspects of it can mean just as much as the prospect of excitement.

My overall advice for a bad day is; don't overthink things- its just a bad day, not a bad life. It only lasts for 24 hours. You're strong and you can beat it.

-Louise x

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