“Today is the right day to love, believe, do, and mostly, live.” ~ Dalai Lama

We all have what we consider to be bad days. Some are truly terrible days, others are just ‘meh’. But one thing that the Dalai Lama speaks of over and over again is the importance of living each day to its fullest. After all, we only have a limited number of them.

Some bad days – days that bring a death, a job loss, a break-up – are inevitably going to be very difficult to make it though, and these days merit separate consideration. But what about those meh days?

It’s never fun to feel like you’re having a bad day, whether you wake up on the wrong side of the bed like the grouchy protagonist from the children’s book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day or have a spate of major inconveniences throughout the morning.

While you won’t be able to solve all of those issues or push the “restart” button on a “off” day, there are some simple steps you can do to break the cycle and redirect it. In fact, the key is to get into a healthier frame of mind so you can deal with all of the bad luck that is stacking up. Try the following things to do when you’re having a bad day to help you feel better and get back on track. They’ll at the very least set you up for a great day the next day!

  • Take a walk outside. If you have some free time and want to go on a hike or have a picnic, that’s fantastic. However, if you’ve had a long day at work, or still have more hours to go there, even a brief break outside on your lunch break will improve your mood.
  • To boost your energy and take your mind off of things, go for a five-minute walk around the block.
  • During your commute, call your family or long-distance pals to catch up. Talking to your family and friends can help you get out of a rut.
  • Deep breathing will help you relax and change your perspective. Even a few minutes spent actively focusing on this can be extremly helpful, and it’s something you can do anywhere.
  • Instead of curling up with Netflix(though this can help sometimes, too) go see a movie in the theater . Instead of obsessing on your awful day, it will allow you to disengage and immerse yourself in the imaginary scenario. Funny films work well, but any engrossing movie should do the trick.
  • Give yourself a relaxing – and slightly indulgent – treatment like a massage, pedicure, facial, or blowout. With your favorite candles and a soothing song or two, you can turn your bathroom into a spa-like haven that you can escape to.
  • Write down the events or situations that brought you down to gain some perspective on how minor or significant these troubles are in the grand scheme of things.
  • If you’re stuck and overwhelmed at work, update your résumé and hunt for employment openings online. This will make you feel like you’re making progress, even if it will take longer.
  • Make a list of the qualities you admire in yourself. Try not to be too harsh on yourself or to blame yourself for your unpleasant day. If that seems difficult right now, consider stashing these self-love notes about your house, so you can discover them the next time you’re having a bad day.
    Grab an adult coloring book and some lovely colored pencils to get started.
  • Go on a Pinterest or Instagram binge and be carried away by the beautiful photographs and crafts tutorials.
  • Make a list of things for which you are grateful. Instead of focusing on the problems in your life that aren’t going well, remind yourself of all the things you have to be grateful for.
  • If you have them in your neighborhood, go to a museum exhibit or an art gallery. A little bit of beauty may go a long way. If a physical visit is not an option, try an online museum tour instead, youll be surprised by how engrossing they can be, and these offerings allow you to travel the world from your living room!
  • Just let it out! If you don’t have somebody to talk to, jot it down in a notepad or text a friend, roommate, family member, or significant other. Someone else’s confirmation that it isn’t all in your head and that your day is indeed horrible is sometimes all you need.
  • Anyone up for some retail therapy? There’s nothing like getting a new pair of shoes as a treat. If you don’t have time to go shopping, you can do so online.
  • If baking is one of your favorite activities, try a new dessert recipe. If you don’t like sweets and/or don’t like to cook, go to your favorite restaurant.
  • Laughter is the best medicine, so listen to a comedy podcast or look through your favorite meme accounts on Instagram.
  • Play with animals. If you don’t have a fur friend of your own offer to walk a friend’s dog, or simply look up gorgeous puppies and kittens on the internet.
  • Make a reservation for a yoga or meditation class for tonight or tomorrow morning. This will offer you something to look forward to and will much assist in the clearing of your mind.
  • Reminisce about the good old days by looking through old photos and family albums Seeing these amusing or beautiful photos can bring back happy memories that will haave you smiling your way out of your bad day.
  • Take a stroll through a public park or relax on a park bench with a good book. A nature walk with a good book is a serious treat if you’ve been cooped up indoors.
  • Learn how to mix your favorite drink in the comfort of your own home.
  • Check to see if you’re getting enough water. This may seem self-evident, but occasionally our brains wander, and we forget the essentials, which are essential for mental and physical health.
  • Play a game of solitaire or a game of chess. These intellectual pursuits are excellent ways to exercise our minds without putting us in a stressful situation.
  • Gardening is a great way to get your hands dirty. Consider getting a plot in a community garden or gardening in your own backyard.
  • Consider going for a holistic wellness approach. Is there a healing store in your neighborhood? Just for fun, request that the shopkeeper tell you about aura sprays, healing crystals, and ritual candles.
  • Work through your negative feelings. Allow yourself to scream into a pillow to get the terrible vibes out of your system, rather than distracting yourself. Is it not working for you? Pretend it’s a punchbag! Cry into it, rip it, hug it, yank it… then clean up your mess as you regroup and relax.