“To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.”
Henry David Thoreau
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.”
Robert Louis Stevenson
There are days that exceed our expectations, days that are just okay, and then there are the bad days. Days that leave us feeling down and drained.
But how can we turn a bad day around? Rather than letting it consume us, there are ways to uplift ourselves and shift our perspective. Here are 21 tips and habits that can help transform a bad day into a better one:
1. Breathe.
Start by taking deep, calming breaths to center yourself and ease your mind.
2. Do a power pose.
Strike a confident pose to boost your mood and energy levels.
3. Work out.
Engage in physical activity to release tension and recharge your body.
4. Hug.
Receive or give a warm hug to feel comforted and optimistic.
5. Pet an animal.
Spend time with a pet to experience calming effects and increase happiness.
6. Find a new viewpoint.
Challenge negative thoughts by seeking a different perspective and asking constructive questions.
7. Go out into nature and enjoy it all.
Connect with nature to refresh your mind and find peace in the present moment.
8. Accept what is.
Practice acceptance of the present moment to let go of negative emotions and regain clarity.
9. If you made a mistake then don’t let your inner critic take over.
Be kind to yourself and seek support from within rather than succumbing to self-criticism.
10. Tell yourself: Just for today!
Make a commitment to handle the day differently and focus on positive actions.
11. Get outside of your own head by adding positivity to someone else’s life.
Shift your focus to helping others to gain perspective and boost your own morale.
12. Take 5-15 minutes to read some motivational quotes.
Draw inspiration from motivational quotes to uplift your spirits and motivate yourself.
13. Journal about your day.
Express your thoughts and feelings through journaling to gain clarity and insight into your situation.
14. Talk it over with someone to find that new perspective.
Discuss your feelings with a trusted individual to gain new insights and solutions.
15. Take a laugh break for 10-15 minutes.
Engage in activities that make you laugh to relieve stress and see things from a lighter perspective.
16. Find something to look forward to.
Reward yourself with something enjoyable to look forward to after completing your tasks.
17. Take a shower.
Refresh yourself with a shower to mentally reboot and start anew.
18. Clean up.
Organize your surroundings to regain control and prepare yourself for positive actions.
19. Tap into gratitude.
Cultivate gratitude by focusing on the positive aspects of your life to shift your perspective.
20. Look back and celebrate how far you’ve come.
Reflect on your achievements and progress to gain a wider perspective on your journey.
21. Remember: sometimes a bad day will just be a bad day.
Accept that bad days are a natural part of life and focus on letting go of perfection to find simplicity and happiness in the moment.
