Dealing with bad days
Whether recovering from a mental illness or not, some days will simply be bad days. However, one, or a few days off, does not dictate progression. Just as a graph line moving upwards may have minor set backs, it still goes up in visualization. We can be the same as graphs and have set backs yet still push through.
Sometimes, bad days can span out to an entire week. And, that is okay. But, if one is recovering from mental illness, it is important to deal with bad days in a manner that ensures bad days over and over don’t form into a relapse.
Here are some tips to deal with inevitable, shitty, plain old bad days:
Mix distractions with attempts of activity. Feeling anxious and jittery? Clean your room to focus on something that may distract yourself, and also help knock something off your checklist!
Make a checklist! Organize those messy thoughts! Decide on three things to do that day, like a show, walk, and some drawing.
Try to keep up doing things that used to make you happy. Dance, sing, ride your bike!
Talk to someone about it. Call a friend, family member, hotline, or have an emergency therapy session if you have a therapist!
Keep a journal for hard feelings and thoughts. See if you find a pattern of what may trigger these bad days to avoid in the future.
Cook! Make easy but indulgent dinners to have something to look forward to.
Wear cozy clothes that you are comfortable in, and that feel like being wrapped in a hug.
(or the opposite!) Paint your nails, do your hair or makeup! Do something that takes low effort and makes you feel put together.
Try to remember that this will pass and better days will come.
Remember that you are not alone in all of this even when it feels that way. Everybody feels shitty at times, it’s a part of life.
Allow yourself to cry it out!
Listen to happy songs or watch feel-good shows.
Stay in touch with positive things that are happening in the world.
Celebrate the small victories! Tell yourself that you are proud of your efforts, no matter how small.
