Everyone has bad mental health days.
Days where it’s harder to think positively and where motivation is non-existent. It happens, because we’re only human. Here are 9 simple ways to recharge and get you through your bad mental health days.
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Disclaimer: What works for me may not work for you, as everyone experiences things very differently. These are just some things which have helped me to get through bad mental health days.
Be Selfish
To be ‘selfish’ is defined as lacking consideration for other people. It has negative connotations. As children we are told to share with others, and to not be selfish.
But is being selfish really a bad thing?
It can be difficult to be selfish and put yourself first on difficult mental health days.
Sometimes individuals feel undeserving of self-care and taking time out.
It’s at these times when self-care is needed the most.
The most important relationship that you can have with anybody is yourself. Fall in love with taking care of yourself. It’s the greatest medicine.
Practice Self-Care
Self-care can be practiced in multiple ways. For example, meditation, journaling and reading. But it also comes in unconventional forms, like saying no to the extra shift at work, eating three meals everyday, getting yourself out of the house, attending appointments and taking medication.
By setting small goals for yourself to do these things, it brings a sense of achievement and a positive association between being ‘selfish’ and recovery from mental illness.
As I am still in recovery, my goals have changed.
They’ve changed from ‘get myself out of bed in the morning’ to ‘getting my university place to become a mental health nurse’. By ticking off goals at the end of the day, you’re showing a dedication to getting better.
If in your darkest moment you can consciously choose to stay alive and fight against mental illness, you will get there one day.
A Quick Note
The Daily Mental Health Check In works like a mental health diary to support you to reflect on the day. The daily mood tracker and daily planner pad features bring anxiety relief, allowing you to prepare for a restful nights sleep.
Spending a moment at the end of your day to check in with yourself is also essential for promoting self kindness and validating your feelings.
Click here to view the Daily Mental Health Check In!
Have a Shower and put on Clean Clothes
Simply having a shower and putting on some clean clothes can make a huge difference to your mood. It can be helpful to visualise the water washing away the negative emotions and feelings which have been consuming you. Leaving you feeling alot lighter and able to face the day.
Express Yourself
Sometimes a trigger can leave overwhelming emotions bottled up inside of you, and keeping them there can cause more harm than good. Sooner or later it will burst open and can make you behave irrationally.
Expression allows us to release our negative emotions safely.
Forms of expression could be blogging, writing, painting, singing, exercising and baking.
Putting this negative energy out of your body feels like a huge weight off your shoulders. It prevents individuals turning to unhelpful coping mechanisms. This also acts as a distraction from the racing thoughts which accompany some mental illnesses.
In the moment it can be challenging to get started: picking up a paintbrush or putting on your trainers. At this point you need to remind yourself that you are deserving of getting better.
Be in the Company of Others
Isolating yourself can be dangerous because it allows negative thoughts to take over and gain control. Being with others is a distraction and it proves that you aren’t alone.
Suffering from any mental illness can feel extremely lonely, but negative thoughts can be contradicted by the people around you, reinforcing that you are loved and needed in this world.
Go Outside
Breaking away from your room on a bad mental health day is so important! Although, it is also incredibly difficult and scary when you are struggling with mental illness. It can feel like a huge effort to go outside. But, I do believe that being in the fresh air and watching the world go by has helped with my recovery.
Recall Past Achievements
When I am having a bad day, I find it very easy to pick out things that I don’t like about myself, and things that I could have done better or should be doing. To pull myself out of this self-destructive mindset, I reach towards things that I have done which I feel proud of.
When I read the comments on my blog posts I instantly feel appreciated. Comments which say that I have helped somebody really make my day. Consequently, reading text messages or birthday cards, listening to voicemails and talking to family members can act as reminders of how much you have achieved in your lifetime, and how proud you should feel of yourself.
Gratitude
It is very easy to focus on the bad things which are happening in our lives. We get caught up in a series of negative emotions and forget to appreciate the smaller, positive moments. Getting into the habit of writing a list of things you are grateful for, at the end of your day, can help you to feel happier and more present.
Seek Professional Help
If you are having a series of continual bad mental health days, and feel that you are developing a mental health problem, please seek help. This can be extremely difficult, so it may be helpful for you to tell someone you trust how you are feeling. This means that they can support you throughout this process.
How do you get through a bad mental health day? Leave me a comment angels!
Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest!
Below are links to websites that can help you, if you are struggling with your mental health. Please know that you are worthy of love, support and recovery.
MIND
PAPYRUS
SAMARITANS
YOUNG MINDS
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LOVE THIS! Thank you for sharing! Personally, I spend some time alone (watch a movie/tv series or listen to music) <3https://octoberslallu.blogspot.com/
Hello lovely! Thank you for your comment. Being in your own company is great, as long as you don’t cut yourself off from the rest of the world! Music makes everything better!Hope to see you again soon x
These are some great tips. Being a little selfish and practicing self care are so important! What do you do on the days you're not motivated at all and can't bring yourself out of bed to the shower? I agree being around people helps but the right people.
Hiya Kim! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. On those days I try to let myself be. It's okay to feel unmotivated and low sometimes. Just don't allow those feelings to take over and consume you. There's always tomorrow.Lots of love, Casey x
Thank-you! So important to speak about this. Important piece
Hello! Thank you so much x
Love this post, I would have suggested the exact same things! ❤️- Jemina || http://www.jeminamarina.co.uk
Hello lovelyThank you so much, hope to see you back soon!Love Casey x
I love this! 🙂
Thank you!Love Casey x
So many great ideas! Having a shower is especially important. It may sound like a small thing but it makes a huge difference
Hello Laura,Thank you so much lovely! It really does! I hope to see you back soon,Love Casey x
I love this. When I get out of the shower I have a totally different view on things! So strange isn't it. Great tips and I'm sure this post will help lots of people. xxKate | http://www.paintingoctober.blogspot.com
Hiya Kate,Thank you so much! That is really nice of you to say. It is strange how much of an impact it can have on your mood. I hope to see you back soon.Love Casey xx
Thank you for the wonderful tips! I will definitely book marking your post for future reference ♥️
Hiya Nicka,Thank you so much!Love Casey x
Thank you for sharing your tips! Most of them work for me as well and that was great to remember them. It is quite easy to forget about taking care of yourself. Alice from Kabelsalad
Hello Kabel,Thank you for your comment lovely! It's very easily done, though it's such an important part of my daily routine.Love Casey x
Great post with great advice! It's amazing what a shower and clean clothes – feeling clean in general! – can do for your mental health! If I'm struggling to find the energy I often go for a bath so I feel clean but can relax at the same time as well! 😂💕💖
Hello lovely,Thank you so much for your comment!Love Casey x
These are such good tips my lovely! Self care is so important when you're having a bad mental health day.Love, Amie ❤ The Curvaceous Vegan
Hi Amie,Thank you so much!Love Casey x
These are great tips. It's really hard to be selfish sometimes, but it takes a toll when you constantly do everything for everyone else and neglect your own needs. Your own mental health needs to be a priority. Ash | thisdreamsalive.wordpress.com
Hey Ash,Thank you! I completely agree with you lovely!Love Casey x
Great post! I find it really helpful when I'm around others or when I take some time out to remember what I am grateful for!
Hi Chelsea,Thank you so much!Love Casey x
Thank you for sharing this! As someone who deals with mental health issues I agree that these are all good ways to help get through bad days. Writing down things you are grateful for is a really good exercise, and it's nice to be able to look back on those lists when you are having a bad day and maybe are having a hard time remembering what you are grateful for.
Thank you for such a lovely comment! Love Casey x
Hey Casey this is such an enlightening blog about mental health. Thank you!! I don't remember the last time I painted lol but sounds like a joyful idea. Plus you are only 18…? Good contentThanksTamar
Hello Tamar,That's very kind of you, thank you so much!Love Casey x
Really informative Casey! Poor mental health should be treated just as much as poor physical health. For getting over a bad day I'd say I really like doing hobbies I enjoy (e.g. working out, watching my favourite TV series or films) or talking to others about problems I may have had throughout thr day or recently. Like you said in the post it is a HUGE weight off your shoulders and a sense of pressure gone away. Johnny | Johnny's Traventures
Hello Johnny,Thank you very much! It should, but the sad reality is that it isn't treated in the same way. That's a really good coping mechanism! Thank you for commenting!Love Casey x
I love this post so much. Some of these things should be really obvious, but it can be so hard to put yourself first on those hard days.
Hi Sarah,Thank you so much! It can be hard, but once you start a regular routine it can become a habit.Love Casey x
This is such a great post and I love that you clarified that these are things that work for you! Being selfish is so important sometimes and I agree with pretty much all of the others too! Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
Hiya Soph, That's very kind of you, thank you for commenting lovely!Love Casey x
I bloody love this post! Especially tip number one to be selfish. My sister in law has had to go through so many problems medically and her doctors keep saying it’s all stress related and I remember clearly one them saying to her ‘can you at least be selfish for once and put yourself first before everyone else?’ I LOVE this advice. There is nothing wrong with being selfish especially when it comes to your own wellbeing!Soffy // themumaffairs.blogspot.com
Hello Soffy,Oh my goodness! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. That has made my day!Love Casey x
Great list! I usually read some self-care books and write into a gratitude journal. I totally agree with the getting into the shower to make yourself feel a bit better, it always helps me to have a shower, dress up nicely and do my make-up and it makes me feel so much more happier. Lovely post. Chloe xhttp://www.chloechats.com
Hello Chloe,Thank you lovely! I'm really glad that works for you! It's such a good way to feel refreshed and able to start a fresh.Love Casey x
Great tips! I find I do similar things. I let myself do the things I normally kind of judge myself for – let myself have a long lie in or a nap, wear my pyjamas all day, watch back to back TV and read books in bed! I think self comfort is the key for me feeling better on days like this :)Rhianna xwww.tsundokugirl.com
Hi Rhianna,Thank you! Let yourself do those things, because you need to recharge regularly.Love Casey x
I still absolutely love this post, great tips and you're spot on! 💕 https://onemorelightlb.blogspot.com
You are so kind! Thank you so much!Love Casey x
This is so wonderful, I think I have to try a few of these things right away!! Thanks for sharing, Casey :)xx Emmathe25lifecrisis.com
Hello Emma,Thank you so much for your lovely comments on my blog!Love Casey x
These are some really good tips! thanks for sharing 🙂 the ‘recall past achievements’ tip is great – looking back at good things can remind you that you can do them again 🙂
-Lena
http://www.lenasnotebook.blogspot.com
Hello Lena,
Thank you! There really is nothing that you can’t do, it’s your mind which tries to convince you otherwise!
Love Casey x
I’m so glad I happen to stumble upon this blog post. These are all spot-on suggestions. I have personally found Gratitude journaling super effective for keeping my center and my mind at peace. I have realized that we generally tend to be hard on ourselves and forget about our past achievements.
I’m wondering if I could use some of these suggestions and create a post on our Instagram page. Anyway, I’m writing to you separately via email. 🙂
Hello Pritesh,
Thank you very much! I am really pleased that gratitude journaling works for you! That is a very common trait of many people, we are our own biggest critics sometimes! Of course you can!
Love Casey x
It’s always super nice to see bad mental health days talked about in a healthy light, so thank you! It’s also really nice to have reminders for myself that I really am doing what’s best for me on those bad days.
Hello Diane,
Thank you very much lovely! It is so important to take days off sometimes, we all need to recharge and that is completely okay!
Love Casey x
I definitely agree that being selfish is not a bad thing in regards to your mental and physical health. You have to put yourself first! Great post 🙌🏻
Hello Ami,
It’s so important, because you can’t pour from an empty cup! Thank you for your lovely comment!
Love Casey x
I love these tips! I especially like recalling past achievements as it allows us to celebrate ourselves instead of picking ourselves apart. Thanks for sharing!
Very well written! I have used many of these too and managed to lift my mood. It is scary but we can always win over it by just the will to want to feel better. And talking helps so much. ❤
Thank you for this. Personally I feel making your bed first thing in the morning is very motivating as well. Hope you face many more positive than negative days. Much love. Would love for you to check out our latest blog post as well
https://musingsofbrowngirls.com/2019/05/21/5-ways-to-help-you-forgive-yourself-the-mbg-way-bgr/
Excellent post. Self-care and compassion is so, so important now and always.
Thank you so much for sharing.
These are such great tips! Remembering your past achievements when you’re feeling worthless is a great way to see how far you’ve come. Thank you!
Love this so much, made me well up 💛
Great read and fantastic tips. The presentation of your blog puts me in a positive mood from the get go!
Hi it’s Brenda from RubyHemMinistries.com I needed this. I’m not depressed right now but do get in my funks. The next time I do I’ll be able to remember this. Thx
So many great tips. I think the shower point is optimally important! Thanks for sharing!
I love this post. My favorite thing to do is journaling, meditating and of course go outside for a walk. It always helps
Great post. It’s amazing how much small things like taking a shower can help. I love the visualization of the water washing away negative emotions!
Such great tips – and so important these days! Funnily enough though, for me I need to be by myself rather than be with other people – so I can deal with my emotions/hormones/moods without infecting others, but that time usually involves a bath or blogging 🙂
Great post! It’s so important to look out for yourself. Especially when you’re struggling. If that means being ‘selfish’ then so be it.
Hello Nyxie!
Thank you so much! I hope you’re safe and doing well lovely.
Love Casey x
This is such an important post! I love it! And I think being selfish isn’t a bad thing. Sometimes we have to be selfish to get through the day x Thank you for sharing x
Hello Monika,
Thank you so much! I completely agree!
Love Casey x
Such an amazing post lovely with such valuable tips. I don’t suffer with depression myself but of course, as with everyone, I definitely have had my very bad days in the past. I think the basic things like showering, brushing your teeth and wearing clean clothes often so overlooked but they help so much xx
Hello Jenny,
Thank you so much lovely! They do! It’s difficult to see how much they help until you find yourself not doing them.
Love Casey x
This is a really great post and one that I definitely needed to read at the moment. I’m going to take these tips on board.
Hello Kelly,
Thank you! I’m sending you so much love and I’m here if you need a friend.
Love Casey x
Like you, I find that little bit of time outside really helps your mind to relax and just taking those deep breathes in the fresh air can do wonders! A great post Casey! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Hello Lucy,
It can! I struggle to get there, but once I’m outside I usually begin to feel better!
Love Casey x
Love this!! A nice hot shower and my favorite comfy clothes definitely makes a bad day better for me. Thanks for sharing!
Hello Amanda,
Thank you! You’re completely right. There’s nothing better than getting home and changing into comfy clothes!
Love Casey x
This was such a great post to read, and I fully agree with everything you’ve mentioned as someone who has previously suffered with depression. Thankyou so much for being so honest and for sharing this x
Hello Kayleigh,
Thank you so much! I’m glad that you enjoyed reading!
Love Casey x
These are really helpful tips. I have been having a lot of bad days lately and I think it is so important to be selfish sometimes. If you aren’t having a good day, then you need to feel better before you even think about helping someone else otherwise your issue will be pushed aside! I also find having a cuddle to be an excellent cute!
Em x
http://www.loveemblog.com
These are great options – I can see how each would help! A great guide for when one of these days hits
This is a fantastic post with really brilliant ideas. Each of these suggestions are so important and can be really helpful. It is good to sometimes be selfish as we need to put ourselves first at times – this is something I tend to forget and I can struggle with. Thank you for sharing this great post!
This is such a great post; I hope it manages to help so many people! I know that when I am having a bad day with my mental health, I love to snuggle up and watch Harry Potter. Doing the little things that bring you happiness can help so much. Great post as always lovely xoxo