5 Free Things to Do When You’ve Had a Bad Day 

Even the most positive people have bad days from time to time. It could be that you’ve had a tough day at work, you’re finding yourself overwhelmed, or you’ve had an argument with a loved one. No matter what’s got you feeling down in the dumps, there are a few things that we can do to help us clear our minds and get a little perspective. If you’re looking for some free things to do when you’ve had a bad day, here are 5 activities that can help you feel rebalanced and relaxed after a bad day.  

Take Some Time For Yourself By Immersing Yourself In Your Favourite Hobby

If you are anything like me, you likely have what feels like a thousand hobbies, and no time to do any of them. In today’s day and age, we are frequently rushing around and tending to our many responsibilities. This chaotic lifestyle often means that we rarely leave enough time to embrace the things that bring us joy. If you want a free thing to do when you’ve had a bad day, I can’t recommend spending a few hours reacquainting yourself with your favourite hobbies enough. Whether you’re interested in outdoor activities like hiking, getting crafty with some paints, or even just spending some quiet time flipping through magazines or Netflix, seizing the moment, and appreciating the happiness and joy these simple acts can bring us is an ideal way to ease your stress.  

Take A Long Soak In The Bathtub

One of my favourite free things to do when I’ve had a bad day is to run myself a bath and use all my favourite products, locking myself away in the bathroom for a little while. Hot baths relax your muscles and help to ease the stress away. For some instant stress relief, climb into the inviting water, close your eyes, and practice some mindful breathing techniques such as the square breathing technique. Within a few minutes, you will start to feel better. Remember to unclench your jaw and stretch out your aching muscles. If you find it difficult to fully relax without external stimulation, you could try listening to a podcast or audiobook whilst you soak.   

Pick Up The Phone and Talk

Sometimes we all need someone to remind us that it’s not all doom and gloom. We often find ourselves caught up in a cycle of self-criticism and find it hard to see our good qualities for ourselves. That is when having a good support network comes in handy. Another activity on our list of 5 free things to do when you’ve had a bad day is to pick up the phone and call up a trusted person who can remind you that you’re worthy, loved, and fun to be around. Try ringing up a friend, family member, or partner for a chat. You may want to discuss the details of your day, or you may simply benefit from hearing the voice of your loved one and enjoying their company. Whatever you decide to do, make sure to let your person know that they too have great qualities and are loved by you.  

Read A Book

You could spend your day sitting and dwelling on your mistakes, ruminating about the day gone by…or you could pick up a book and escape into a whole new world. Reading is a great way to relax, calm your mind, and escape the stress of having a bad day. If you’re wondering where to start, download the Kindle app on your phone and head to the ‘free’ section; there you will find hundreds of free reads, from the classics to gripping mysteries and thrillers.  

Take Note Of Your Gratitudes  

Sometimes we spend so much time focusing on the negatives that are happening in our lives that we forget to appreciate the positives. One free activity that I have found immeasurably helpful when I’m having a bad day is to write down the things that I’m grateful for. If you’ve had a bad day and you want to try and put things into perspective again, try listing the things that you’re grateful for in life. Think about all the things that make you feel happy, from having a great support network, to simply having a roof over your head. Writing down your gratitudes and then referring to them again when you are having a hard time can really help to change your mindset. 

Take note of these 5 free things to do when you’ve had a bad day and refer to them whenever you need to.  

Everyone has bad days, but the most important thing to remember about your emotions is that you must let yourself feel them. It can be difficult to work through your feelings, especially negative ones, but allowing yourself to experience your emotions and taking positive steps towards changing your attitude when bad days occur can be extremely beneficial. Don’t forget to bookmark this page so that you can come back here whenever you need to.