By Joni Edelman
Let's just be real with each other: We all have bad days. Some of us
have a lot of bad days. And, if you have any mental health issues --
depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, borderline personality
disorder -- sometimes your bad days can be really, really bad. So bad.
Don't-want-to-get-out-of-bed bad.
I've been having a lot of those
days recently. Honestly, some days I feel pretty damn hopeless. Some
days I can pause and remind myself that it's temporary, some days, I
just can't. There are many days I just need to get to tomorrow -- all I
can do is put one foot in front of the other. If you're feeling this
way, ever, you're not alone.
Here are some quick actions you can take to help you get through the day -- or even just the minute.
1. Food, water, or both. Have
you eaten? Have you had anything to drink? Most people are dehydrated
and don't even know it. Chug 8 ounces of water and have a granola bar or
some nuts and fruit. Low blood sugar never helped anyone. You need food
to fuel your body and your mind.
2. Are you tired?
Can you nap? Lack of sleep exacerbates already poor mental health. A
20-minute power nap can work wonders. And if you're really sleeping
poorly on a continuing basis, maybe try melatonin at night. If a nap
isn't enough, that's OK. Sleep as long as you can. If you can't sleep,
even just relaxing with a book can help.
3. Exercise. EVERYONE
is always like, "Do you EXERCISE? You should definitely exercise." And
you know what, I don't really care if exercise lifts your mood. When you
feel like shit, the last thing you want to do is run. So just sit on
the floor -- or stand up -- and stretch. If you like yoga, do some
downward dog or a sun salutation. Get in touch with your body. You
don't have to run a marathon. Literally ever.
4. And speaking of getting in touch with your body, do a scan.
Are you in pain? Muscles tense or tight? I like to start with my head
and move down. Simply tensing and relaxing your muscles can bring relief
and give you a action for your energy.
5. Are you having body image issues? Can
you resolve any of them? Or can you just pause to note that this is a
moment in time and it isn't a permanent state? Loving our bodies is
sometimes hard, and sometimes downright impossible. You don't have to
love it. Can you just try to live with it? Thanks body, for doing all
the things you do. Maybe you'll feel better about it tomorrow. Maybe you
won't. Just get through today.
6. Clothes. Put
some on. Or take some off. I sometimes get really overwhelmed by
clothing, it feels restricting and creates anxiety -- I may not even be
able to pinpoint it. Changing into something more comfy helps.
Conversely, have you been in your pajamas all day? Putting actual
clothes on may lift your mood.
7. Cat GIFs. Here. If all else fails, look for a laugh. Cats are always good for antics.
8. Do you have a blanket to snuggle? A good snuggle is usually
calming/lifting. People and pets work for this purpose, too. Dogs and
cats love you without requiring much of anything. Find one.
9. Have you listened to any music? Even
better if you can dance to it. There's one from Colbie that I like for
bad body-image days. And there's The Whip, because why not. Spotify has a
few channels to relax or lift mood.
10. Is there someone you can call or text?
I often text my closest friends (you all know who you are). I've
historically been ashamed of needing help, but honestly, they are always
willing to speak kindness into my soul. And it always helps -- 100
percent of the time. You can always find me on Twitter too.
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