Teeny Pick-Me-Ups for When You’re Having the Worst Day Ever

Slide 1Overview
While you can't exactly solve all of those problems or hit the restart button on an
"off" day, there are some smaller things you can do to interrupt and reroute the
cycle. In fact, the key is to put yourself in a better headspace so you can more easily
cope with all of the unlucky things piling up. To help you boost your mood and get
back on track, try the following some things to do when you're having a bad day. At
the very least, they'll set you up for a better day tomorrow!
Buy yourself
flowers
There’s no need to wait for a special occasion or for someone to send you a bouquet
as a gift. Flowers are the perfect antidote to a bad day with their bright colors and
fresh scent. In fact, simply smelling a flower alters your gene activity and blood
chemistry, soothing stress and giving you an immediate mood boost.
Get Outside
If you can devote a lot of time to this and head out on a hike or picnic, great. But if
you have a hectic day at the office, even a short burst of outside time will boost
your mood. Try taking a 10 minute walk around the block — it'll really help!
Nibble some
dark chocolate
There’s a good reason so many of use a little chocolate therapy to deal with a bad
day—it works! Eating just an ounce and a half of dark chocolate lowered stress
hormones in people.
And the news gets better: People who regularly ate dark chocolate reported lower
feelings of depression over time.
Soak your feet
in a warm tub
Tired tootsies are just one small side effect of a tough day but when your feet hurt,
everything else does too. A quick foot soak in a warm tub of water can do wonders
for both your sore feet and your sore spirit. Or if you have time, take a long,
luxurious full-body soak. Add some epsom salts to help relax tight muscles and feel
your worries wash away.
internet
Let’s be honest: Cat videos are pretty much why the internet was invented. And it’s
a good thing! Because of their innocence, enthusiasm and total inability to
understand modern life, animals are funny in a way that people just can’t be. Plus
they don’t care if you laugh at them. Need a suggestion?
Text a friend or
loved one
Feeling like you haven’t a friend in the world is a major part of most terrible days. It’s
easy to forget just how many people love and care about you. But thankfully it’s also
just as easy to get a quick reminder. Send a quick text to your bestie, sister, or mom
and tell them you need a little love. We’re guessing you’ll be showered with heart
emojis in no time!
grateful for
When you’re in the midst of a horrible day, nothing is farther from your mind than
counting your blessings but that may be the best thing to help you feel better.Writing
down a list of things you’re thankful for refocuses your mind on the positive and
provides an instant lift to your mood. In fact, this simple trick works so well that the
researchers reported that it even helps people with depression who don’t respond to
other treatments.
part
Flipping or combing your hair to the other side of your head may seem like a
ridiculously small change but hair experts say it’s one of the quickest ways to give
yourself a new look. The new part will change the way your hair frames your face
and because it goes against your hair’s natural tendencies, it can give you more
volume. At the very least, it’ll make you laugh!
Practice Deep
Breathing
If you find yourself overwhelmed, or you just want a reset in the middle of a busy
day, try deep breathing exercises. This practice can help you calm yourself down and
shift your mindset.
in Theaters
Instead of curling up with Netflix (though this can help sometimes, too), try getting
out to a solo movie date. It'll allow to you disconnect and immerse in the fictional
story rather than dwelling on your bad day.
Put a kind
desk
Handwritten notes aren’t utilized enough in our digital society but there’s something
very personal and touching about taking the time to write out a thank-you note or
compliment. It doesn’t have to be much (one Post-It note is plenty) but jot a few
thoughts down, stick it to a coworker’s desk, a friend’s car or a family member’s
lunch and watch the happy roll in.
Count the stars
Sometimes it takes staring at the infinite expanse of universe to help us realize that our
problems, no matter how significant they feel in the moment, are small in the grand
scheme of things. Counting the stars in the night sky will help you put things in
perspective, get some fresh air, and have some quiet time alone with your thoughts.
Snap a selfie
Selfies aren’t just for supermodels and teenagers with too much time on their hands.
In fact, taking a quick, silly pic of yourself and sharing it with friends and family is an
instant bad-mood buster .
The researchers noted that strategic selfie sending helped ameliorate stress and
anxiety from common problems like financial difficulties, feelings of loneliness and
isolation, and work issues.
caffeine
Caffeine is the world’s most commonly used mood-altering drug and with good
reason, according to a study done by the University of Florida. In as little as 10
minutes it provides a slight sense of euphoria along with an invigorating burst of
energy. Of course, as anyone who’s ever had a few too many cappuccinos knows,
the detail is in the dosing.
Call your
grandma
When it comes to life, our grandparents have done and seen it all so they’re a rich
source of support and wisdom. Really, is there any trouble a loving grandma can’t fix?
Plus you know it will make them just as happy as it does you. Don’t have a surviving
or loving elder to call? Remedy that stat by adopting an elderly neighbor or other
relative.
Motivational
Quotes
If you need to lift your spirits, read some of your favorite feel-good quotes or
poems. We're personally fans of Rumi Kaur and the iconic Maya Angelou.
Go for a Long
Drive
Going for a drive is one of the best ways to relieve both restlessness and pensive
moods. Blast your music, roll down your windows, and let the wind wash your stress
away.
Coloring Book
And get to work with some pretty colored pencils. If you want an extra mood
booster, pour some sparkling water and play your favorite playlist on your speakers.
Buy yourself a
small gift
Getting a little something special can put a smile on anyone’s face. What? It’s not your
birthday, you say? No matter! Make your own holiday if you like but you don’t need
an excuse to treat yourself. Just make sure it’s something that won’t break the bank
(causing even more bad days in the future) and is something you really like.
Avoid the
internet
While the internet has plenty of fun, interesting, and educational things, it’s also home
to people’s worst thoughts—thoughts that many are all too willing to share. People
who use the internet to the point where it interferes with their real lives have a much
higher risk of being depressed and even of committing suicide.
Have a good
cry
Too many of us resist crying as we fear looking weak or silly but there’s a healing
power in tears, say scientists at Tel Aviv University. A good cry can release pent-up
emotion so you can let it go and move on. In addition to the emotional benefits, they
note that crying can also strengthen social ties, another way to combat a bad day.
Give a kid a
high-five
Kids get a lot of flack for crying in public places but while they do cry a lot, they
also laugh a lot—and it doesn’t take much to get a smile. So if you see a little one
having a bad day, offering a silly smile or a high five is a great way to make both
your days better.
headstand
Yogis know that doing an inversion—any posture where your head is lower than your
heart—can have major health benefits, including mood elevation. Sometimes it takes
literally changing your perspective to help you see your problems in a new light. But
no worries if you’re not Cirque du Soleil. If trying a headstand against a wall is too
much, try a gentler pose like laying on your back, planting your feet near your
bottom and raising your hips.
March 20th marks the annual International Day of Happiness which was founded by
Jayme Illien with the purpose of inspiring every human being to take a step back
and work towards increasing the overall happiness and wellbeing for all.
Even if you love your job or subject of study, too much of one thing can become
overwhelming. It’s easy to lose yourself in work or family obligations and forget the
reason you’ve been working so hard – to live a happy and fulfilling lifestyle.