My Self-care Routine For A Bad Day
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@ dreaming by dusk
No one is immune to having a bad day. We all experience it now and then, whether something happened to us to make it that way, or we simply woke up with a permanent frown and a sour mood.
It can be as common as catching the flu and an easy cure for it is to simply scream at the top of your lungs.However, we live in an age where screaming because you want to is frowned upon.
In the absence of that desire to scream and get all your frustration out in a breath of air, you need to find other activities to combat the bad mood you’re in and get through the rest of the day.
Truth be told, I was experiencing a bad day – a bad week, even – when I decided to write this post. I had planned initially to write about a topic that is the furthest thing from self-care routines.
For all my efforts, I couldn’t muster the energy and passion to write about it. So, as I’m writing this instead, I really am channeling all my energy into it. It’s likely that I will use this list later when I’m done writing it.
If you’ve also had a bad day, and you need some ideas on how to get through it or undo all its damage, tune in. Here are the seven things I like to incorporate into my self-care routine for a bad day. Let’s get into it!
#1: Choose a playlist
Listening to music is a great way to unwind and relax. You get to focus on the rhythm, the instruments and the lyrics. Music can do so many good things for you. It can help you fall asleep, help you to focus, boost your happiness, and fight off your negative emotions. There are countless other reasons why listening to music can have a positive affect on your mood and health.
Right now, I have at least a dozen playlists on my Spotify profile and there’s a couple of them that I rotate through when I am feeling stressed or upset. One is for singing along to. Another is for dancing along to. My current favourite is one for lying on the bedroom floor and pretending I’m a 00s kid having an existential crisis.
When using music in your own self-care routine, curate it to your specific taste or a certain concept or aesthetic that interests you. It can even be fun to play around on Spotify and find new tracks to listen to, if you don’t have a playlist yet.
#2: Grab your journal
I must sound like a broken record because I will never not recommend this. A daily journal is a great opportunity to write about any events or emotions you’ve experienced. Especially, if either subject has been overwhelming for you. One of the reasons why I like to keep a journal is that the act of writing is incredibly reflective and introspective.
At the end of the day, I tend to use my digital journal (basically a Microsoft document) to record everything; the good, the bad, and the miscellaneous. A digital journal is useful for a self-care routine because it allows you to write quickly and without stopping. It’s the easiest way to do a stream of consciousness journal entry; to write whatever comes to mind without stopping to think and edit.
The key is to write about your feelings and experiences in a safe space, only for your eyes. If you don’t want to write, you might consider recording your voice for an audio journal or by filming a vlog. Personally, I also prefer to write for myself before I bring my concerns to anyone else.
#3: Tidy your space
If I’ve had a terrible day and my mind is chaotic and confused, the last thing I need is to come home to a messy bedroom. A mess like that increases the anxiety and anger I’m already feeling. So, I like to give my bedroom a quick clean.
Also, the act of tidying up is said to be therapeutic. You’re taking all that negative energy and using it to do something productive and meaningful that will benefit you. It is meditative and relaxing, and it supports you in trying to gain back some control and order in your day; to set things right again. It’s also a neat way to get some movement and exercise.
#4: Memes
Like listening to music, laughter is another one of those things that helps to release endorphins and help you feel more relaxed and happy. If you’re experiencing a bad day, you need to make laughter a priority. You want to watch or read something that is designed to make you laugh.
For instance, I have relevant posts tagged on my Tumblr blog and I have curated boards on Pinterest for memes, videos and screenshots from Tumblr. You might watch funny video compilations on YouTube or you might stream a comedy film at the end of the day.
Laughter is an easy way to make yourself feel better and it costs absolutely nothing – except for the sore stomach, teary eyes and runny nose you might get from laughing too hard.
#5: Shed some tears
The best way to do this is watch a sad or beloved movie. I’m referring to something made by Pixar because “Inside Out” and “Toy Story 3” are especially good at making me want to cry. I also personally think that crying about something that upset you is a form of closure.
When I have a bad day, there are times when I need to cry to put it behind me and move on. Moreover, the act of crying is very healing and soothing. Have you ever cried and then fallen soundly asleep? I know I have. It has a calming effect and can boost your mood as easily as listening to music or laughing out loud.
#6: Art therapy
This activity can have the same effect on you as tidying your space. Focusing on a creative project helps you to relax and relieve stress. Such as drawing, knitting, writing, painting, and so many other crafts. It is another way of turning your negative emotions into a positive experience. If you haven’t got a creative outlet now, you need to experiment until you find one you like.
It also enhances feelings of happiness and self-esteem to do an activity that you are good at, that you love doing. For instance, my mood and self-esteem were all over the place at the start of this year. I didn’t feel very good about myself, but I worked on my writing despite it because it was an activity that mattered the most to me. It was a cathartic and positive experience when I finished the first draft of my story in only 6 months.
#7: Be in nature
Doing something as simple as taking off your shoes and standing on grass will aid you by easing the negative emotions you’re feeling. If you close your eyes and step outside, all you will hear is the wind, birdsong and insects. At least once a day, I enjoy spending 10 minutes in the front yard, being in nature.
If you’re unable to do this every day there are other things you can do. You can open a window and set the sunlight and wind into your room. You can listen to ambiance playlists of nature, forests, open fires. You can keep plant-life near you and tend to them regularly. I remember when I had plants and I’d go outside and play music for them and talk to them.
disclaimer: I’m not an expert or a professional on how to manage stress and other negative feelings. However, I do have personal interest and experience on how I manage my own emotions.
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