Some days feel like they’re destined to be bad. Everything is going wrong: the milk in the fridge has gone off, the shower isn’t free when you need it, you set off for a day out in Crocs and it starts to rain. No matter how hard you try, having a good day just doesn’t seem possible.
But surely there’s something you can do to reset your attitude. I have created the top six ultimate tactics to tackle days like this, based on suggestions from The Optimist readers.
Click below to watch me try out these suggestions, and keep reading to see where each one has placed in my personal ranking.
6. Sunbathing and reading
I can see the vision here, but to be honest when I tried it out the sunbathing felt more like cold water exposure therapy than it did relaxing. It certainly got my heart racing, but I think I would rather go for a wild swim!
And as for reading… I think I managed about two sentences before a biting wind shoo’d me inside.
5. The One Show
An interesting suggestion… if not a bit too specific. If I’m being completely honest, I could be watching paint dry as long as I am sitting on the sofa, with a cup of tea and my friends.
If you’re enjoying reading about turning your day around – try How to Survive The Bad Days.
4. An early night
Sometimes cutting the bad day short feels like the only option. But I’m a big believer in the idea that it’s about what you do on the lead UP to the early night that makes all the difference.
Whether that be some much-needed alone time with a book, or cosying up with housemates in front of a film, to me, the wind down BEFORE the early night is the most important.
3. Eating good food!
You can’t go wrong with a Nando’s fakeaway. And those brioche buns! Ugh, to die for.
Cooking is something that can take your mind off whatever has been weighing you down in the day, and gives you something to look forward to.
The only downside to this suggestion was that after a long day cooking can feel less like therapy and more like a chore…
… A real Nando’s can feel all the more tempting, with the same benefits…
2. Going for a run
Running is such an efficient way to boost your mood.
In just half an hour you can: be surrounded by trees, filling your lungs with fresh air, and raising your heart rate.
The only downside I found when trying out this method was when you’re in a bad mood, it’s hard to find motivation to do even the simplest things, let alone getting yourself out to do exercise.
I definitely felt the most rejuvenated after this one though!
- Having a cup of tea
Perhaps one of the underrated ways to cheer yourself up after a bad day… the British classic: a cup of tea.
Honestly, I’m surprised that, upon reflection, I decided a cup of tea is the optimum antidote for a bad day.
But hear me out: it requires minimum effort, it’s comforting, and bonus points can be achieved if you make one for a friend (a good deed will always make you feel good about yourself).
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