Some days just seem to go off of the rails right from the beginning. Sleeping through the alarm, dealing with grumpy kids and arriving late at work are just the beginning. This is the day when breakfast gets spilled on a new outfit and the copier jams repeatedly. There’s only a meeting with a disagreeable coworker to look forward to in the afternoon, and then the school calls regarding a disciplinary issue with one of the kids. As tempers grow short and stress mounts, is there any way to salvage the day?
Even in the midst of what is shaping up to be a disastrous day, it’s possible to turn things around and defeat stress. Anyone experiencing a truly awful day should keep in mind that there is no array of cosmic forces aligned against them. It is possible to turn a bad day into something delightful by keeping a few tips in mind.
Vent to a Friend
Take a few minutes for a phone call, email or text message to a sympathetic friend. Sometimes, it’s enough simply to get all that negativity out in the open. You’ve released it, and now you can continue on with a reasonably fresh start. An improved mental attitude is one of the blessings of a good venting session.
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Do Something Relaxing
If you have the luxury of a little time, take a cat nap, read a book, meditate or take a walk. Any of these stress relieving activities can help you to see that the day doesn’t have to be all about gloom and doom if you choose to look for the good.
Seek the Positive
Even when it seems like everything is going wrong, it’s likely that at least a few things are going right. Seek out those small glimmers of hope. Maybe it’s the blooming flowers in your garden or the picture one of the kids drew for you last night. Perhaps you’re having lunch with a friend or going to yoga class this evening. Focusing on
positive aspects of everyday life can engender quite a bit of optimism.
Ask Some Questions
Give yourself a positive mental talking-to by posing a few questions. Ask yourself whether or not today’s trials will matter in five years. Ask yourself if there is anything you might learn from today. Discover whether or not there might be hidden opportunities lurking in the circumstances that, on the surface, don’t seem to be going your way.
Get Physical
Aerobic activity releases positive endorphins that give you a natural high for hours afterward. Additionally, exercise is a great stress reliever that simply makes you feel good. When you work out, you tend to feel in control of your life. You feel more organized. Physical fitness is a great way to feel like you’re on top of the world and capable of meeting all of life’s challenges.
Do Something for Someone Else
Even a small act of kindness, like holding a door for someone or helping a coworker with a copier jam, can give your optimism a boost. The act may only require a few seconds or minutes of your time, but you’ll feel immeasurably better for having brought a little kindness into your day.
Don’t Add to Your Load
If at all possible, shelve some tasks for tomorrow and don’t take on additional tasks that weren’t already on the calendar. Tomorrow just might be the day when everything is going your way, and you’ll sail through your to do list with ease and aplomb.
See how easy it can be to help alleviate your stress? What are your favorite ways to combat stress?