Bad days are just awful—plain and simple. They can leave you feeling totally defeated, exhausted and even angry. Even when the day is just not going your way, there are still ways to take care of yourself. We’re not going to tell you to just smile through it, but instead acknowledge it and practice some extra self-love. You’ll be ready to deal with those kinds of days in no time.
It won’t last forever
Unfortunately, bad days are always going to happen—that’s just life. But the good news is that the better days are coming, too. Also, it’s likely that this isn’t the first bad day you’ve ever had, right? Remember in that moment how you felt last time, and then how you got through it (because you did). Sometimes in the moment, a bad day feels very big, like it will always last. But truthfully? It won’t. Tomorrow, you can start fresh—and again, and again and again.
Make a list
If your bad day is feeling hectic and overwhelming, take a moment to write down a list of what tasks you need to do for the day. Prioritize what you need to accomplish, and set aside tasks that could be done tomorrow instead. Creating a checklist can help organize your thoughts and make your day feel less…chaotic. Plus, it will feel great checking off that task you completed (even a small win is still a win).
If you’re bad day is feeling gloomy, make a gratitude list. Write down a few things that you’re grateful for (and it can be anything). Even if your day is not going great, sometimes acknowledging the things you are grateful for can remind you of the little (or big) things you enjoy.
Acknowledge your feelings
Feel what you’re feeling. Trying to remain positive sometimes works, but hey, we’re all human. If you need to cry once you get home from school, it’s totally okay to do so. It also helps to be honest with the people in your life, and say, “Hey, I’m not doing great today.” Your friends and family will understand and may want to offer to help you with whatever issue you are dealing with. Do not suffer in silence—and your feelings, whatever they are at the moment, are valid.
Find a moment for nothing
Sometimes just taking a pause can help you reset, even if it’s just for a minute. If you’re at school, ask to use the restroom and take a few minutes where you don’t worry about the past or the future—just focusing on pausing. Take a few deep breaths, maybe even close your eyes. Once you feel a little more at ease, continue on with your day. While taking a mini break doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing for the rest of the day, it can hopefully help you take a mini recharge and reset. And if you need another break again, take one!
Make self-care a priority
Every day you should practice self-care and love, but it should be a bigger priority on the days when you need it the most. Practicing self-care looks different for every person—maybe you need to go on a run, take a warm shower or put on your comfort show. Once you feel more well-rested, you can resume doing other activities that you enjoy on a daily basis.
Ask for help if you need it
As we mentioned earlier, you don’t have to suffer in silence. If you need some help or maybe just need to vent, always reach out to someone you love (it can your BFF, a parent or even a school or personal counselor). Asking for help can be difficult, but we promise, anyone you reach out to will be more than happy to help you.
Need more life advice? Check out these posts:
☁️ How To Deal When All Your Besties Are In Class Without You
☁️ How To Deal When You’re The One Who Didn’t Snag A Bae This Summer
☁️ How To Talk To Your Friends When They Hurt Your Feelings
Top & slider image: @mckennasalazar
