Having one of those days where you want to run away and live on a deserted island with your coconuts and zero responsibilities? Been there. Bad days are a part of life, so it’s important to have some useful tools to live through them. This list of self-care ideas will allow you to move through your bad days without completely ignoring your emotions.
Here’s the thing – ignoring your bad day by jumping into a pool of positivity-soaked rainbow sparkles may feel good temporarily, but it’s not going to serve you in the long run. Reminding yourself of ten things you’re grateful for is amazing, but it won’t erase the fact that your day freaking sucked and that you may just need to let yourself feel it.
The truth is, bad days are normal. Having a frustrating, sad, or devastating day is part of being human. Having dark and twisty and uncomfortable emotions? Yep, also part of being human.
Being human is awesome! Our feelings are normal.
So, I like to give myself and my clients the space to feel the bad days and gently move through it at the same time. These self care tips will help you to do just that.
Self Care for Bad Days
Give yourself grace and use these tips as a way to move through the tough days with compassion, gentleness, and kindness. Honor your humanness.
1. Have a good cry
I love sitting in the bottom of my shower and crying, my tears just flowing with the water – it’s lovely. You can also use a movie or music to help get you started if you need it.
2. Go Outside
I know it can feel like all you want to do is curl up on the couch, but getting out into nature or some vitamin d can help you to feel calmer. Being calm and in your body can help in creating a gentle environment for you to feel through your emotions.
3. Move your body to release
This one is my favorite. Your body carries so much of your emotions and it can feel nice to shake it all out, dance around your living room, jump around like a kid, or even work out the frustration or sadness you’re feeling.
4. Validate what you’re feeling
Instead of feeling bad about being an emotional human being, have a quick conversation with yourself or journal about how you’re feeling with validating words. Tell yourself, “of course I feel this way,” and remember that your emotions are always okay.
Your emotions? Always valid.
5. Call a Friend
Or if you have it, a therapist or coach – whatever feels best. Turning to someone else to talk through your tough times is a big part of why we have community. Plus, begin vulnerable with others will help you to create closer relationships.
6. Journal it out
I encourage you to not hold back. Write it all out – the feelings, the frustrations, all the things you’re holding inside (even if it feels super negative, it’s all good). When you feel lighter, like everything has been drained out of you, write down some new things. Maybe ask yourself, “how can I see this differently?” Or “Stepping into my goddess alter ego, how would I move forward?”
7. Enjoy some hugs
Getting a hug from a fellow human can do wonders for your mood, as it releases happy hormones that will light you up. But if no humans are around, a good cuddle with a pet or time spent hugging yourself can also feel really nice.
8. Meditate if it feels good
Meditation can be really helpful when you’re having a hard day, or it may feel really freaking annoying. All good either way. Ask yourself – do I enjoy meditation in a bad mood? And if the answer is no, just don’t do it. It may actually increase your irritability. You can try some active meditation ideas instead.
9. Create something
A good way to shut down the noise is to get creative with your hands. This might be cooking or baking something in the kitchen, playing around with clay, getting your hands into the soil of your garden, coloring, crafting, knitting, etc. When you get to create something with your hands, it takes a good amount of focus (turning off the negative talk) and it just feels so lovely.
10. Check-in with your body
Dehydrated? Have some water. Tired? Take a power nap. Hungry? Each something that will serve your body. Sometimes, our bad mood is amplified by a body that is calling out for self care.
11. Tune out from the world
Take some time to turn off the external world. You might shut off social media, put your phone in do not disturb mode, and pick of a fantasy novel to get lost in for a bit. Sometimes, we just need a break from real life.
12. Act like a child
And by this, I mean, allow yourself to release your emotions like a child would – throw a mini tantrum, pound your pillows in frustration, and flail around like a frustrated 2-year-old. Is it silly? Oh, yes. Will you feel better? Definitely.
13. Practice your favorite self-care
This looks different for everyone. You may choose to do a DIY facial at home with scented candles and a cozy blanket. Or maybe you’re like me and want to dip into a bubble bath with incense and chanting music for an hour or two. Just take some time to pamper yourself. You always deserve it.
Looking for more ideas? Get 60 Self Care Ideas here.
Remember this, you are an incredible human. You will have good days and bad days. You will have moments when you feel on top of the world and days when you become one with your sofa – it’s all beautiful and it’s all okay.
Honor your self care needs and know that it’s exactly as it should be.
I’m cheering you on,
