How to Recover from a Bad Day
How to Recover from a Bad Day
Bad days are a part of life. We all have them. No matter how many yoga classes
you attend or how smoothly your life runs, you'll run up against one sooner or
later. The secret to thriving is learning how to move forward in spite of bad
days, not aiming to never have one (although minimizing their frequency is a
good thing).
Here are some tips for dusting yourself off and getting back on track after a
bad day happens:
Do you have permission to have a bad day? Make sure that your
inner-perfectionist (the one who requires all-or-nothing success) isn't
running your show. Are you knee-deep in self-blame or guilt for things that
may have contributed to your bad day (or for the way you reacted to it)? As
long as you are busy beating yourself up, you won't be able to move on. Why
not work on the idea that an occasional bad day is simply to be expected? It
doesn't mean you failed; it means it's time to implement the "bad day plan."
Are you ready to move on, and what will you need to let go of to do so? This
is an important question. Are you ready to move on from your bad day, or do
you need it to continue for a little while longer? If you are busy beating
yourself up, or feeling miserable, or drowning your sorrows, or feeling
indignant and victimized, you're not ready to stop having a bad day yet. What
do you need to let go of in order to start to shift into a different space?
Anger, hurt, frustration, and negativity are all common answers.
What do you want to move on to? How do you want things to be? How do you want
to feel? What do you want your mindset or mental attitude to be? Your posture?
Your facial expressions? Take a look in the mirror and make sure you aren't
still carrying your bad day with you - it's amazing how often we do this.
What helps you feel grounded? An important step in moving on from a bad day is
connecting with the present and letting go of the past. What helps you to be
really present in THIS moment - completely here and alive? For some people,
deep breathing or physical activity helps. Some people like to journal or
spend quiet time alone. Take some time to get centered and to set your
intention for how you want to BE in the present moment and into the future.
What kind thing can you do for yourself? This is what we do for others who are
having a bad day. What can you do for yourself? (And no, a pint of ice cream
doesn't count!) Can you call a friend or rent a movie? Pick a flower from your
yard? Schedule a massage or a long bath or buy some new nail polish? Bad day
recovery days are prime times for self-care.
What's one thing you can commit to that is a positive action? It doesn't need
to be big. Pick one small step or action that signifies that you are moving in
a positive direction. Do a good deed or a short workout or clean out one
drawer. You'll know the action that fits. Your goal is to take the first step
toward getting on a more positive track, and when that's done, take the next
one.
Bad days are a part of life. We all have them. No matter how many yoga classes
you attend or how smoothly your life runs, you'll run up against one sooner or
later. The secret to thriving is learning how to move forward in spite of bad
days, not aiming to never have one (although minimizing their frequency is a
good thing).
Here are some tips for dusting yourself off and getting back on track after a
bad day happens:
Do you have permission to have a bad day? Make sure that your
inner-perfectionist (the one who requires all-or-nothing success) isn't
running your show. Are you knee-deep in self-blame or guilt for things that
may have contributed to your bad day (or for the way you reacted to it)? As
long as you are busy beating yourself up, you won't be able to move on. Why
not work on the idea that an occasional bad day is simply to be expected? It
doesn't mean you failed; it means it's time to implement the "bad day plan."
Are you ready to move on, and what will you need to let go of to do so? This
is an important question. Are you ready to move on from your bad day, or do
you need it to continue for a little while longer? If you are busy beating
yourself up, or feeling miserable, or drowning your sorrows, or feeling
indignant and victimized, you're not ready to stop having a bad day yet. What
do you need to let go of in order to start to shift into a different space?
Anger, hurt, frustration, and negativity are all common answers.
What do you want to move on to? How do you want things to be? How do you want
to feel? What do you want your mindset or mental attitude to be? Your posture?
Your facial expressions? Take a look in the mirror and make sure you aren't
still carrying your bad day with you - it's amazing how often we do this.
What helps you feel grounded? An important step in moving on from a bad day is
connecting with the present and letting go of the past. What helps you to be
really present in THIS moment - completely here and alive? For some people,
deep breathing or physical activity helps. Some people like to journal or
spend quiet time alone. Take some time to get centered and to set your
intention for how you want to BE in the present moment and into the future.
What kind thing can you do for yourself? This is what we do for others who are
having a bad day. What can you do for yourself? (And no, a pint of ice cream
doesn't count!) Can you call a friend or rent a movie? Pick a flower from your
yard? Schedule a massage or a long bath or buy some new nail polish? Bad day
recovery days are prime times for self-care.
What's one thing you can commit to that is a positive action? It doesn't need
to be big. Pick one small step or action that signifies that you are moving in
a positive direction. Do a good deed or a short workout or clean out one
drawer. You'll know the action that fits. Your goal is to take the first step
toward getting on a more positive track, and when that's done, take the next
one.
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