Try these 5 tips to overcome your worst days

Bad days... we all have them, maybe even more often then we feel conformable admitting. For me I’ve dealt with depression and anxiety my entire life it’s not something I always felt comfortable sharing. In high school I was still learning how to work through it thankfully I had parents who understood when I said I couldn’t go today it wasn’t because my stomach really did hurt it was because I couldn’t get out of my own head that day. I still have these kind of days as most do, especially with growing up and facing new challenges.

The first thing I try when I feel myself slipping is to lean into it by taking the day or at least setting aside time to just rest or relax. I find my comfiest pajamas, draw my blinds, and get right back into bed with a good book or movie. I find that sometimes I’m going and going until I realize I’m exhausted and I simply need some time for myself.

Having lived in Maine nearly my whole life seasonal depression was very difficult for me and I find even in Tampa with this endless summer it still affects me. This is why the next tip I’d advise is to get out and about. Get dressed and go anywhere even if it’s just for a drive or to go get a coffee, sometimes all if takes is that step outside to jump start your day.

My third tip is one of my all time favorites which would be talk to someone. Finding people you can not only confide in but could perhaps relate or understand can be beneficial to getting yourself through rough days. These days it’s more rare to find someone without and understanding of anxiety or depression then one with this experience. College therapists/councilors don't have the best reputation and many aren’t ready to make the steps towards a permanent therapist yet. Because of this, establishing a friend you can openly talk to can be freeing of the feeling that you’re alone and you have to handle this alone.

Another strategy that’s always worked for me is to workout, I’ve found it clears my head and gives me a boost of our happy chemicals that can really make all the difference in my day. This doesn’t mean you have to go run a marathon anytime you’re having a bad day, but fresh air and sitting in nature can bring calm to your mind during the most chaotic days.

My final tip is one I’ve really begun working on this year especially which is to unplug and do something creative. This could mean journaling, cooking, painting, or anything like that. Through trial and error I’ve learned that for me putting my phone down can make all the difference. If I’m having a bad day it’s often in my head, if I’m able to work through that it’s easier to do so without distractions. I can channel that energy into a creative outlet like painting, then I have something soothing to do while I think.

We’re living in todays society where we’re so heavily integrated with our phones with the idea that we’re more connected than ever. In reality I think we’re in the middle of one of the biggest emotional disconnects ever. Mental health shouldn’t be ignored or discredited, it’s very difficult to work through especially after adding our everyday responsibilities. Listen to yourself and what you need to do in order to be okay again, you can overcome bad days alone or with help!