“How was your day?” It sounds like such a simple question, but if your day was one giant downhill mess, that question can be your worst nightmare. All it takes is 4 words to relive your awful day and ruin any positivity you were gaining.
Unfortunately, having a bad day happens all too often. In fact, most Americans have 60 bad days every year, most of which were caused by work. But you don’t have to let that ruin your evening too.
When you finally leave the office after a hectic day, the best thing you can do is try to leave all the negativity and work-related problems behind. Not only will you be able to enjoy your night, but you’ll be more likely to wake up in a better mood tomorrow.
So how can you relax after a bad day? Keep reading to discover 10 things that can help you unwind.
1. Exercise
Your first instinct may be to slump onto the couch and drown your brain out with TV. However, this isn’t the best stress management technique.
Instead, find something that will actively work to change your emotions, not avoid them. Your brain releases endorphins, or happy hormones, when you exercise. They’ll help put you in a better mood, and you can work all your anger out on a punching bag or treadmill.
2. Do Yoga
Yoga is a great exercise if you want something a little easier than jogging or lifting weights. You’ll still get a good workout through core exercises and sun salutations which will release endorphins into your brain.
The other half of yoga is focusing on your breathing. This will allow you to release all the stress from your day, so you’ll finish feeling calm and relaxed.
3. Go Wild on a Buggy
Sometimes a bit of adrenaline and adventures is all you need after having a bad day at work. Take an ATV or buggy out to your backyard or a nearby wooded area and go crazy!
That mistake you made during your big presentation won’t seem so bad as your tearing through the mud and leaves. If you don’t have a buggy to let loose on, no problem! This store has plenty of options to choose from.
4. Sit in Nature
Using nature to help you relax is one of the best stress management techniques. Go to your local park, work on your backyard garden, or hit the local hiking trail – anything that will get you outside and enjoying nature. The fresh air, bright colors, and sunlight do wonders for your mood.
5. Take a Bath
Perhaps one of the most common things to when you’re having a bad day is to take a relaxing bath. But don’t just fill your tub up and call it a day.
Treat yourself to a luxurious bath complete with bath salts, candles, and mind relaxing music. The Epsom salt and essential oils in bath salts work as muscle relaxers and mood stimulators, while the candles and music help add to the atmosphere. You’ll be able to wash off all the bad energy from the day.
6. Get Cleaning
We know what you’re thinking: “cleaning to relax?! I don’t even want to clean when I’m having a good day!” Trust us on this one – cleaning can help put you in a better mood. When you see clutter and messes around your house, your body begins to feel stressed.
Cleaning this will allow you to relax better. You’ll also feel accomplished and productive (especially if you’ve been procrastinating cleaning), which can boost your mood. If you’re feeling really motivated, consider following some organizational hacks to keep those rooms clean and clutter-free!
7. Remember What’s Good in Life
When you’re having a bad day at work, it’s all too easy to focus on the negatives – your boss is mean, you’re overworked, and your spouse hasn’t helped with the dishes all week! But these negative thoughts will just drag you further into your bad mood.
Instead, think about what’s good in your life. Maybe you got a promotion last month, your oldest child is about to graduate high school, or you’re in a loving relationship with your spouse. Think of at least 5 things that you’re thankful for every time you feel your bad mood creeping up.
8. Splurge a Little
We could all use a little retail therapy now and again. However, you want to be careful with this one – if you splurge too much or splurge during every bad day, you’ll be spending a lot of money.
Instead, buy something inexpensive. This could be anything from an inexpensive skincare product to a pastry from your favorite bakery. It’ll help you feel better without the next-day guilt of spending a fortune on things you don’t need.
9. Set Your Phone Down
While you may think that your phone can help with stress management, sometimes it does the opposite. Seeing your friends on vacation while you’re having a bad day at work can make you feel jealous or bitter.
Disconnecting from your phone and focusing on something else can be freeing. You’ll find any technique you use to unwind will work better when you’re not checking your phone every few minutes.
10. Focus on Your Hobbies
Is there something you love doing? Most people don’t have enough time to do their hobbies every day, so when you do get a chance to partake in your favorite activity, it feels amazing.
Instead of going straight for the couch, do something that you love, whether it’s working on cars, painting, reading, or photography. You’ll likely be so focused on what you’re doing, you’ll forget all about the day you had.
What to Do When You’re Having a Bad Day
If you’re having a bad day at work, the last thing you want to do is to bring that awful mood into your home life. Instead, follow our tips to unwind after a bad day. You’ll feel better in no time!
Did you find this article helpful? Check out our life hacks blog page for more great ideas like this.