I had a rough week last week. It all started last Sunday when my daughter fell out of the shopping cart on my watch, sending me into a frenzy of mommy guilt, then the week proceeded with a few more annoyances, a set back, a fever and vomiting, a missed day off school (and there for work) and a few more little things (especially as I write them out) that left me feeling anxious, deflated and discouraged.
We all have those weeks, right?
Below are a few tips, all used by me, and a few proven by science, to help you break out of your next funk.
Cry
I always feel better after a good cry. And researchers have backed this up with science. Scientists have actually broken down the chemical make-up of different types of tears. When you cut an onion or get dust in your eye, your tears are mostly water. When you cry emotional tears, they are filled with all sorts of different chemicals including a hormone that indicates high stress levels and endorphins known to decrease pain and boost moods. So ‘having a good cry’ may actually help you feel better but helping you get rid of built up toxins and trigger the release of feel good chemicals.
How could you NOT smile when you look at that face!
Look at Pictures
This was advice in a great article i read on simple ways to boost your mood. It is now part of my regular reptorie. If I’m feeling down or frustrated flipping through the photos of my kids always brings a smile to my face.
Write Down Why You’re Grateful
It’s such a quick exercise and it always puts things in perspective. Or better yet, tell someone you are grateful for them or that you love them. Hug your child or send an I love you text to your partner and you’ll boost two moods!
Pick the Right Support Person (for that moment)
Sometimes you just need to talk it out. You’ll get more support (and sympathy) from a friend in a similar situation to you. If your cranky toddler has you confused, a fellow cranky toddler mom will be able to relate. A business friend or a coworker will get why a work project has your stressed. Usually, when you’re smack in the middle of a rough time, you don’t need tough love or to be scolded. Yes, you realize someone else has it worse than you, but right now you want to wallow. Find that person who’ll let you with no judgement.
Do Your Healthy Thing
Does sweating it out in a kickboxing class boost your mood? Get in there. Meditate for 5 minutes help? Then meditate. Fresh Air? Get some! For me, it’s a short, sweet yoga practice. I always feel better after a downward dog!
Know That it Will Pass
Sometimes just acknowledging that I’m having a rough time is enough to also remind me that it will pass. If I can pinpoint why I’m feeling frazzled it helps me see an end to it as well. If I’m feeling anxiety around my daughter being sick, but I know in a few days she’ll be better and I’ll feel better too.
What are your tricks for overcoming a bad day? I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below! And remember, whatever you are going through, you are not alone.
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Christie - A good cry always does it for me! Also kids being sick is the worst, hope your munchkin is feeling better. I’d so much rather be sick than them.
Mindy Crary | Money Coach - Wow, I love that now I have a scientific reason to have a good cry! I knew I felt better afterward, but now I know why. My favorite thing to do when I am having a bad day is to put on some dance music. I may not feel like it at first, but then the music sucks out my bad mood
) Great list of tactics, thank you!
Pam Pearson - I did not know there were two kinds of tears! I feel better already
I had a bad week too and I took out crayons and paper and just drew what I felt. It somehow moves the feelings out of my gut and onto the paper. I then leave the drawing somewhere I can look at it and symbolically it helps me. I have to say I got excited when I read about kickboxing. I think kicking something would help too! lol
sarah Steele | Managing You Academy - Crying releases toxins – hmm, I should detox more often. And doing your healthy thing is so important. It’s also key to be able to recognise when we’re having a tough time rather than just ploughing through it in coping strategy. Great post.
Yvette | Business Strategist - What are your tricks for overcoming a bad day? A glass of wine or a screw driver!
WOW, I love this list and I didn’t know that not all tears are the same – who knew!
On a more serious note, I like looking at pictures, listening to music and during my last pregnancy when things got a little rough, I would chant to myself – this too shall pass! Which I thought was silly, but it really helped.
Beautiful site too
Jenn Burton/ Have Him Your Way.com - Great suggestions… Funny I did two of them yesterday. I had no idea that there were different types of tears. I’ve always known that I feel better after a big cry, but no idea there was a scientific explanation too!
Tina Pruitt | Speaker + Biz Consultant + 3x Cancer SurTHRIVER - Oh yeah! LOVE these ‘get out of the blues’ or otherwise low-point tips – SO FUN! Love the photo tip, for sure! And I never knew that there was actually science backing up the “have a good cry” process….awesome!
My biggest tip? I tend to just give in to it all, and take a nap! Since I don’t do this often, it seems to do the trick for me most times!
Thanks again!
Tina
Megan - Thanks Christie! Everyone is on the mend now and I have tackled quite a few of my missed tasks from last week too!
Megan - Oh! Dancing is a great idea too! I am going to add that to my list!
Megan - Right! Sometimes I feel like a gentle yoga class, sometimes I feel like kicking something
Megan - I agree that recognizing your tough time is sometimes half the battle! Sometimes I just feel in a funk, once I can identified it, I can deal with it better.
Megan - Honestly, crying is my favorite one. I call a good girlfriend and warn her…and just cry. And I ALWAYS feel better!
Megan - I am adding Napping and Dancing to my list. Those both totally work too! love it!
Tina Pruitt | Speaker + Biz Consultant + 3x Cancer SurTHRIVER - WOOHOO!!!
Productivity of the Rich and Famous- And How It Applies to Moms - [...] after a good cry (scientifically proven to make you feel better), I get down to business. The funny thing, after a good break down, I usually feel more motivated [...]