Breathe. It’s just a bad day, not a bad life.”
Ace of Base said it best, “life is demanding without understanding.” Sometimes life happens, and things do not go our way. Maybe the girl didn’t text you back. Your Dad is treating you poorly, or an unexpected expense comes and knocks your socks off. Whatever it is, there are moments when things out of our control can impact our moods and deter us from having a good day. I have those days just like anyone else. I consider myself incredibly optimistic and even a bit private about daily personal struggles I endure, but they still happen. In those low moments or bad days, I have to somehow power through them and keep going. So how is that done? What are some coping skills that we can all practice to power through the bad days? I would like to share some with you, so next time you have a tough day, you have some practices you can rely on to help you power through.
1. Cover Your Basic Physical Needs
Our physical health and mental health are intertwined. It is a must that we prioritize our mental and physical health as much as we can every day. Whenever I’m having a low moment mentally, I check in with my body to see if I feel well physically. Have I eaten? Did I get enough sleep last night? Do I need some water? By merely acknowledging, prioritizing and tackling my basic needs, I feel better. I highly recommend drinking a glass of water, getting a good healthy meal in, or taking a quick nap whenever you feel mentally overwhelmed. Doing so has helped me in times of distress, and I know will help you too.
2. Seek Laughter
Mayo Clinic.org states that, “A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn’t just lighten your load mentally; it induces physical changes in your body.”
Some of the physical benefits of laughing include stimulating organs, activating and relieving stress response, and soothing tension. I make a concerted effort to find something that I know will make me laugh in moments of sadness. I actually have an entire photo album on my phone titled “jokes” that consist of funny screenshots, video recordings, and memes that I can go to whenever I need a good laugh.
One of my favorite videos to watch these days is Wendy Williams interviewing Aretha Franklin for season two of The Wendy Williams Show. That interview gives me a good laugh every single time I watch it. If you need a good laugh, watch it and look out for the part where Wendy says,
“Queen Latifah?”
And Miss Franklin says, “no.”
It takes me down every time. It is okay to have low moments, we all have them, but a laugh is a simple way to remedy any situation. Curate your jokes and get to laughing soon; doing so will pick you up every time.
3. Talk to Somebody
We all need somebody to lean on. There is nothing wrong with having a vulnerable conversation with someone expressing your issues and how you feel. The worst suffering often comes from our minds and negative thoughts, creating a mental storm of depression and despair. Getting those thoughts out of our mind through heartfelt conversations is fantastic. If you have a trusted family member or friend, that’s great, but if not, I suggest looking to a licensed therapist or professional. Ask people to make space for you and see if they can listen to you in a low moment. You may not need advice, maybe just someone to be present. So many of my challenging moments and days have been solved by talking to people I trust. Try it!
4.Move the Body
I love to go for walks in my neighborhood when I’m feeling down. Getting outside, getting some air, and moving has helped me get through tough times. If the weather is bad or I don’t feel like getting out, I stay in my house and dance. Just throwing my hands up and letting a beat take me has drastically increased my mood countless times. Don’t allow yourself to sit and wallow in self-pity; next time you have a challenging moment, MOVE! Dance. Walk. Get your body moving and watch your mood change.
5. Give
Being generous can increase both mental and physical health. Research shows that individuals who volunteer live longer and have happier lives. It feels good to give, and we all can give something. Whether we give our time, energy, effort, or resources, it feels good to show up for people and help them. There is also something illuminating about giving because when you give to others, especially those who have less than you, it can activate gratitude in you to understand that your situation is not as bad.
6. Listen to Positive Music
Everyone should have a playlist of good music they can turn to, in low moments. Make it a point to curate a playlist of upbeat songs for tough days and listen to them on repeat.
7. Create a Spiritual Practice
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin once said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” Regardless of your religious affiliation, it would help if you had a spiritual practice to implement when you feel down. Whether praying, listening to worship songs, or meditating, everyone should have a spiritual practice. There is no successful life without some form of spiritual life.
In conclusion, life is challenging. There will be good days and bad days. I know that looking on social media and scrolling through Instagram, it looks as if everyone is having the time of their lives, but that is not reality. Life happens, and when it does, we have to have tools and practices in place to help us through. Next time you experience a low moment, I encourage you to try some of these methods and make them habits.
Be Inspired!