Everyone has days where nothing seems to go right. When events out of your control are getting you down, it’s hard to see a way through it. Even when you’re having a bad day, there are ways you can help yourself feel better, and happier.
Here’s 10 easy ways to feel good, even if you’re not having the best day
1. Wake Up Calmly
The morning is always a hectic rush, isn’t it? You’re running around, trying to get ready for school or work, and it’s stressful. This isn’t going to set you up for a good day in the long run.
Instead, wake up a little earlier and give yourself time to get ready. Being calm in the mornings is great, as it helps you ease into the day. It also gives you extra time if you need it, reducing stress.
2. Do The Best You Can
When you have a bad day, it can feel as though you’re failing at everything you do. If you’re not reaching the goals you’ve set yourself, then of course you’ll feel as though you’ve let yourself down.
When you’re having a hard day, remind yourself that you can only do the best you can. Go easy on yourself when things go wrong.
3. Write About Your Feelings
Journaling as a kid was always therapeutic, so why not bring this habit back? Writing about your day can really help you get to grips with your feelings, and express them in a safe way.
If you’re not sure how to start writing, writing exercises are the best way to get pen to paper. Use State Of Writing for writing guides to get you started, and UK Top Writers to share your writing with a community of like minded people.
4. Deal With Negative People Positively
There’s always someone who comes along and makes a day worse, due to their negative attitude. If you feel yourself tensing up or feeling down when they show up, it’s time to respond with positivity. If they are personally attacking you, examine whether what they’re saying has any merit.
If it doesn’t, walk away from them. If they’re generally downbeat, counter their attitude with your own positive one. It’s all about responding appropriately, rather than reading in the moment.
5. Look At The Opportunity Each Day Gives You
Every day is an opportunity for learning. This is especially true of days where everything seems to go wrong. If you’re having a bad day, take a deep breath and look at what you can learn from the situation.
The more you do this, the easier you’ll find it when you have to deal with issues that crop up.
6. Manage Your Time Wisely
Do you feel as though you’re always putting out fires, and there’s never enough time to get everything done? Then you may need to look at your time management.
“It’s easy to feel run down and stressed when you’re trying to fit everything in” says time management coach Chris Joiner from Top Canadian Writers. “Take the time to really plan your day, and be realistic about what you have time for.”
7. Be Grateful For What You Do Have
Most people know that when they’re having a bad day, it’s easy to lose sight of what they do have. You can combat this by consciously thinking about what’s going right in your life, when everything feels like it’s going wrong.
“You can make a list at the end of the day” says psychologist Amanda Stephenson from Revieweal. “Doing this makes you focus on what’s going well, and so makes the bad things feel less all encompassing.”
8. Don’t Fret About The Future
Much of what worries people is what’s happening in the future. So many people worry about this or that potentially happening and forget to focus on what’s happening right now.
Take time every day to just be present, without worrying about what might happen the next. This will help you appreciate what you have, and worry less about what may or may not even happen.
9. Smile More
It’s a simple tip, but it works. If you smile more, you’re telling your brain that you’re happy. You’re also putting out positive vibes around you, which people will respond to. Do this often enough, and you’ll feel much better in your everyday life.
[Tweet “Do this often enough, and you’ll feel much better in your everyday life.”]10. Be Happy With What You Have
Finally, remember that you’re good enough just as you are. You may be frustrated because you’re not in the job you feel you should have, or you don’t have the things you want.
However, happiness doesn’t come from outside, but within yourself. Be grateful for what you do have, and focus less on what you wish you had.
These ten tips will help you through even some of the hardest days. Keep them in mind, and you can be happier in your everyday life.
Identity Magazine is all about guiding women to discover their powers of Self-Acceptance, Appreciation, and Personal Achievement. We ask that every contributor and expert answer the Identity 5 questions in keeping with our theme. Their answers can be random and in the moment or they can be aligned with the current article they have written. In that way, and as a team, we hope to encourage and motivate each other, thus inspiring you to Get All A’s.
1. What have you accepted within your life, physically and/or mentally? Additionally, what are you still working on accepting? Now, we’re not talking about resignation, rather stepping into, embraced, and owned.
Although it took much of my life, I feel as though I have finally accepted the fact that I have full control over my life. I used to believe, thanks to my upbringing and society, that I would be stuck trying to please everyone, stuck in a job I had just because I needed the money or a relationship just because I didn’t want to be single. But, your decisions are your own. I’m still working on pushing my limits.
2. What have you learned to appreciate about yourself and/or within your life, physically and mentally? On the other hand OR in contrast, are there elements of who you are that you’re still working on appreciating?
I appreciate my friends and my family. No matter what decisions I’ve made, or life choices I’ve embarked on, no matter how big or small, they have stood by me through thick and thin. I’m still working on appreciating myself as a friend who would do the same for them and feeling as though I am good enough.
3. What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life? Tell us not only what makes YOU most proud but also share the goals and dreams that you still have.
One of my most rewarding achievements was packing up tedious 9-5 job about a decade ago and traveling the world. I saved for about two years, travelled all over Europe, Asia and New Zealand before coming home and starting my current career. I went alone and so proud of taking the plunge, something I thought I’d never be able to do. I hope to travel more in the future and start my own business!
4. Of course, we all have imperfections, or so we think. In truth, we are all perfectly imperfect. What are your not-so-perfect ways? Likewise, what imperfections and quirks create who you are–your Identity?
In all honesty, I need to learn how to slow down. While I have found a driving force within myself to push my limits and to keep working hard, this isn’t always best for my work-life balance. Sometimes, I still need to learn how to take a step back, close the laptop and spend some more time with the people I love and doing the things I enjoy.
5. “I Love My…” is an outlet for you to appreciate and express all the positive traits that make you…well…YOU! In fact, sharing what you love about yourself will make you smile, feel empowered, and uplift your spirit and soul. (We assure you!) Therefore, Identity challenges you to complete the phrase “I Love My…?”
I love my level of focus, the amount of love I have to give and my ability to get hurt and grow.
Photo by Brandi Redd on Unsplash
