Are you having a bad day? Check out these quick and easy ways to turn your day around and put a smile on your face.
January 2023. This article is independently written by Shelby Golding. All opinions given are hers. Shelby has been certified as a personal trainer and nutritional specialist since 2007. In 2008, she found her passion for writing about these topics and hasn’t looked back.
We all have bad days sometimes. And each bad day comes with a choice – do you want to ride it out or try to turn it around? Turning your day around can be easier than you might imagine, and even if they don’t turn your frown upside-down, they might make your day easier to get through.
We’ve highlighted some science-backed ways to boost your mood when you’re having a rough day. Keep reading to find some easy ways to turn your day around.
Easy Ways to Turn Your Day Around
Bad days happen – maybe you woke up with a headache, received bad news, or just woke up grumpy. Whatever the case, you’ve decided that you want to turn your day around, and we’re here to help.
Here are some easy ways to turn your day around; keep reading and find some that work for you.
1. Make Your Bad Mood Work for You
Instead of trying to force your bad mood to change, why not take advantage of the benefits it can offer? Research suggests that people perform tasks better when they’re in a bad mood as opposed to a good mood.
For example, when you’re grumpy, you might find it easier to pay attention to details, make more persuasive arguments, have good judgment, and be less gullible. And when you’re sad, you might also have a better memory and an easier time seeing through misinformation.
So, you might find it rewarding to embrace your bad mood and check something off your to-do list. Is there a challenging task at work you need to do? Or a personal project you’ve been putting off? Get it done!
As a bonus, checking something off your to-do list might give you a dopamine release, and dopamine is associated with feeling good!
2. Write About Your Feelings
Journaling about your thoughts, goals, and emotions can help you gain insight into your bad day and how you can turn it around. And since journaling is proven to reduce anxiety and lower cortisol levels, it’s a great way to de-stress. In addition to reducing stress, journaling can help you process challenging emotions, feel more positive, and find solutions to your problems.
High cortisol levels, otherwise known as the stress hormone, can result in depressed moods, apathy, and irritability. And if you’ve been stressed lately, it could be the cause of a sudden bad mood.
If you’re new to journaling, it’s not hard – you don’t need to filter your thoughts and feelings, just be yourself. And journal however you want to, as it offers benefits whether you’re writing with pen and paper or typing on a device.
3. Go for a Walk
There’s a reason why many people instinctively leave an argument to go for a walk – just 12 minutes of walking can reduce negative emotions and help you feel happier. And if you can walk in nature, even better! Spending time in nature can reduce stress levels, elevate mood, and increase attention span.
For added benefits, you might ask a friend to go for a walk with you. Connecting with someone close to you can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, lower stress levels, and improve your mood.
4. Spend Time With a Furry Friend
Pet owners tend to be happier and healthier than people who don’t own pets. And just interacting with animals has been shown to lower blood pressure, decrease cortisol levels (that’s the stress hormone), and improve people’s moods.
So, if you own a pet, spend some time with them and boop that snoot! You might improve your mood if you pet, hold, walk, or train them for a bit. And if you’re not a pet owner, head to a local shelter and give much-needed attention to animals waiting for their forever homes. Or ask a friend if you can cuddle their pet for a bit.
If you can’t (or don’t have the energy to) find a real animal to hang out with, watching cute and funny videos of animals can also improve your mood. Animal videos can lower your blood pressure, decrease stress levels, increase happiness, and provide relaxation. Here’s a cute animal video to get you started!
5. Listen to a Happy Song
Music has the power to move us, and listening to a happy song could be just what you need to turn your day around. Happy music can help you change your mood and even process your emotions.
Here are some other benefits of listening to music:
- Lower levels of anxiety and depression
- Lower blood pressure
- Decreased perception of pain
- Improved sleep quality
- Better mood
- Higher mental alertness
- Improved memory
So grab your headphones and put on your favorite upbeat music if you’re having a tough time turning your day around. Or, if it helps you to embrace your mood, listen to something that matches it. For example, if you’re sad, a sad song could help you process what you’re feeling.
Bonus points if you dance to the music – exercise is another excellent way to turn around your mood when you’re feeling down. A good workout can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety while increasing happiness and a sense of well-being.
Don’t Let Pain Keep You Down
Chronic pain can make turning your day around tough, but you don’t have to let it keep you down. You can wear the Kailo Pain Patch during any activity, all day, to help with pain relief.
Kailo is designed to relieve pain in seconds; scientists theorize that it works by interfering with the body’s electrical system. In addition, a recent clinical study showed a significant decrease in pain when switching to Kailo from oral medication in patients who participated in the study.
Disclaimer: Kailo should not be used if you have a pacemaker or are pregnant. Always consult your doctor or health care professional before using Kailo.
