8 Free Ways to Turn a Bad Day Around

Does anyone else feel like these winter months drag on for an eternity?

With the days getting shorter and shorter, it’s hard to get all of that feel-good vitamin D we need to keep our demeanors positive.  For me personally, I work in a windowless office.  I am up and at work before the sun comes up, and when I leave work at 4 I get an hour of daylight – if I’m lucky.

During the summer, it’s easy to get outside and enjoy the sun, but during the winter that lack of sunlight just puts me in a perpetual bad mood.  I’ve started working out, both to lose weight and to help my demeanor, but sometimes life just gets to you.

On top of the sunless days, there are frustrations and stressors, and it’s easy to get sucked into having a bad day.

So how do you turn that bad day around on a budget?

Give a Hug, Get a Hug

Studies have shown that physical contact, especially that of hugging can raise your endorphin levels.  It’s like getting a workout high without working out – SCORE!  But seriously, those endorphins can really improve a bad day, not to mention the bond that you strengthen with the person you hugged.

Cook Dinner With Rosemary

Rosemary has pick-me-up effects on your brain.  Known for stimulation your energy levels, headaches, mental fatigue, as well as improving memory, most home chefs have a favorite go-to recipes that involves rosemary.  Sprinkle in a little extra tonight and turn that bad day around.

Take your dog for a walk

Pets, dogs especially, have essentially the same effect on people as a hug does.  Who else is thrilled to see you when you get home, no matter what your attitude?  Dogs love unconditionally, and that happiness can easily rub off on you with a quick game of fetch or a walk around the block.

Stretch

Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you to go run 10 miles (even though that would probably work).  Stretching not only works out those kinks in your neck from sitting at your desk all day, it relaxes you and releases feel-good chemical in your brain, essentially turning your bad day around in a matter of minutes.

Call a Friend

Sometimes, all you need is to hear the voice of a friend (or your mom!) who you haven’t talked to in far too long to start to feel your bad mood lifting.  Take a few minutes to reach out to someone who you’ve lost contact with, or who you know misses you.  You’ll both be glad you did.

Take a selfie with your kids

Oh, the selfie.  I think selfie’s have kind of run their popularity course, but in my own house they remain a hilarious thing to do.  Kids can make the craziest faces, and combine that with the technique needed to perfect the self, you’re sure to end up with some good laughs as you attempt to take a selfie.  Relish the moment, it won’t be here forever!

Bake Cookies

Similar to the aromatic benefits of rosemary, baking cookies can lift your mood.  For most of you, the smell of baking cookies brings back memories of home and wonderful times with family.  And hey, if all else fails, the cookie dough or fresh, soft cookies are sure to cheer you up!

Do a Random Act of Kindness for someone else

When all else fails, do something kind for someone else.  Whether it’s bringing your co-worker a cup of coffee, rubbing your husband’s shoulders out after a long day, or leaving a kind note for a downtrodden friend, don’t underestimate the powers of a random act of kindness.  While your motivation to do so should be unselfish, remember that feel-good benefits often come from going out of your way to be kind to someone else.

A bad day is nothing to mess with.  I can wreck your work, your marriage (at least for a day or two), and even your health.  You may or may not be able to head one off, but when a bad day does strike, know that you can turn it around!

What do you do when you need to turn a bad day around?

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