Every single one of us goes through times when things are completely and utterly crap. And sometimes it’s hard to know what to do. In this post, we’re going to look at 40 things to do when you’re having a bad day, to give you that little extra boost of self-care, on a day where you need it most!
It might just be the odd day here and there; you’ve stood in dog poo on your way to work, then the trains are delayed, then your lunch has spilt in your bag that sorta thing.
It might be a week where everything keeps piling up or a longer period of time when things are particularly difficult; you’re not getting on with your partner, tensions are high at home, a pet is ill or you’re facing money problems.
Whatever the reason things are crap for you for, it’s not unusual that we feel completely out of kilter during these times in our lives. Like the world is continuing to turn but slightly to the left and we no longer feel in rhythm with it.
Nobody should feel embarrassed, ashamed or a failure when things are going crap for them and they find it hard to function or go about daily life as normal.
Life is a whole bunch of ebbs and flows; up and down constantly from beginning to end. We will all get them. It’s how you deal with them that’s important.
Even things which seem irrelevant; like a bird pooing on your head. It can be hard to feel “normal” when you feel off kilter with the rest of the world and that’s when looking after yourself is super important.
I’m a huge advocate for self-care; I don’t know why any of us shouldn’t put ourselves first.
I’ve had my fair share of crap days, like everyone else. I remember 2016 was particularly difficult for a bunch of reasons and was definitely one of those years where I felt the world was moving on without me.
I learnt some coping strategies for those awful days that sometimes we just can’t avoid.
So I’ve compiled a list of things of 40 things to do when you’re having a bad day, which I have done on the dark days; but not all of these are designed to make you feel better.
Sometimes, nothing is going to make you feel better and you just have to accept that. But just stuff that you can do. Cos sometimes we just need to do something to take our mind off the crap day we’ve had!
1.Watch a documentary
When I’m having a bad day, I find it helpful to put myself in someone else’s shoes by watching a documentary.
2.Do some yoga and focus on your body and breathing
You know I’m a huge Yogi so I find Yoga extremely relaxing and even more so when I’ve had a bad day. Try some of these restorative Yoga practices to help you switch off and relax.
3.Cuddle a pet or a fluffy toy
You can’t beat this, right?
4.Have a de-clutter
There’s nothing that makes me feel quite as better as having a massive de-clutter does! Whether it’s your office desk, your bedroom, your clothes or your Facebook friends, have a de-clutter and see how you feel afterwards!
5.Call the Samaritans
If you’re really struggling, you might need some immediate help and a kind ear to listen to your problems. Consider calling the Samaritans.
6.Have a nap
If you’re not conscious, you can’t worry about your crap day, right?
7.Read a favourite book
Sometimes going back to something that’s familiar can be a huge comfort and I definitely find that with books. Go back and pick up a favourite book, something you know you love.
8.Write down how you’re feeling
There’s so many benefits of journaling. If you need some help, check out these journal prompts.
9.Have a bath
Have a long soak, with a good book and soak away your day.
10.Cook yourself a meal; nobody else, just you
I love cooking myself dinner. Throwing ingredients together with sweet abandon and creating something yummy for myself!
11.Go outside and focus on your surroundings
Getting outside in the fresh air can be a great way to switch up your mood.
12.Brainstorm a new project
Use your over-thinking brain for something productive!
13.Volunteer somewhere for the day
If you have the opportunity to do so, try and volunteer somewhere when you’re feeling low. It’ll be a change of perspective, open you up to new things and allow you to do something for someone else.
14.Bake something for someone else
Sometimes feeling better means doing something nice for someone else. I always find this is the case anyway.
15.Listen to your favourite band
Dance, sing, play along. Music can do WONDERS for our mental health and our mood!
16.Call a friend
Sometimes on a bad day, you just need to hear a friendly voice.
17.Buy yourself something
Check out this mega list of ways to treat yourself for some inspiration!
18.Exercise
Sweat it out! Go for a run, do a HIIT workout or join a class at your local gym.
19.Cry
Sometimes we just need to cry.
20.Go to the library
There’s nowhere more calming on a bad day than a library.
21.Start teaching yourself something new
Take your bad day into your own hands and turn it around. Doing something you’ve never done before can be a great change is perspective. Perhaps enrolling on a course, learning a new language or trying a new exercise.
22.Lay on the floor for no reason
A change of perspective. That’s all this is. It can trigger emotions. Sometimes, when I’m laying on the floor, especially after a Yoga practice, I can get really emotional. And sometimes that’s beneficial for getting my angers out.
23.Make yourself a cracking sup of tea
Tea makes everything better. Make yourself a cup of tea like it’s the last one you’re ever going to make.
24.Practice mindfulness
There are plenty of ways to practice mindfulness or simply just slow down, take things one step at a time and breathe.
25.Do your make up, just because
When we have a bad day, we can feel so crap about ourselves. Change the script. Get dressed up, do your make up and make yourself feel good for that self esteem boost!
26.Take yourself out for coffee
A change of scenery and your favourite coffee can be a simple way to perk you up when you’ve had a bad day.
27.Meditate
Just 5 or 10 minutes of meditation can work wonders!
28.Do something creative
When you’ve had a crap day, getting creative can really help clear your mind. Paint, draw, write, create music – whatever suits!
29.Buy yourself some flowers
Because why not?
30.Watch funny YouTube videos
I mean, you can’t go wrong with funny dog videos.
31.Plan something fun for the weeks ahead
When you’re having such a bad day, it can make you not look forward to the future. Turn that around by arranging something fun for the coming weeks. Whether that’s a date idea with your partner, a day out with family or asolo date idea.
32.Give yourself a foot massage
This is an excellent self-soothing technique which is so beneficial for times when you feel bad.
33.Create some positive affirmation wallpapers
Get on Canva and create some wallpapers with positives affirmations that will serve you in this moment!
34.Write a gratitude list
We can often forget the good things when we’re in the midst of feeling rubbish, so try and write a gratitude list to cheer yourself up!
35.Have a shower
And simply wash away the crap day! Possibly the easiest thing on this list of things to do when you’re having a bad day!
36.Be kind to yourself
In whatever way feels appropriate to you.
37.Have a glass of wine
Or alcoholic beverage of choice. Always drink responsibly, that goes without saying but you never want to deprive yourself of something you enjoy and sometimes a nice glass of wine is a great way to unwind.
38.Take yourself to a spa
If you have the means to do so, just do it. You won’t ever regret taking yourself to a spa, I promise.
39.Play a video game
Video games are an excellent tool for really switching off from real life and immersing yourself in a different world for a while!
40.Break something!
Something that you don’t mind breaking and of course, in a safe space! Sometimes this REALLY helps when you’ve had a super frustrating day and don’t know what to do with the pent up anger.
We all go through bad days.
They don’t last and you’re absolutely allowed to feel sad, annoyed, irritated, frustrated and all of the negative emotions.
Even if it’s just because your day has encountered some inconveneinces that’s thrown you off course.
Don’t make a habit of wallowing and instead, proactively try and turn your day around – and this list of 40 things to do when you’re having a bad day should help with that!
Do you have anything to add to this list? Do you do any of these things when you’re having a particularly crap time?