Photo: Toni Birrer / Flickr

Everybody has rough days. And not the usual ‘colleague conflicts’ rough days, but the type where you’re in the doldrums because your trust has been violated, a friendship ruined, a relationship ended or a loved one passing on. It’s very easy to wallow in the negative emotions for longer than its healthy, and as best you can, you should still search for moments to smile in. However there are simple exercises you can do to lift your spirits.

First, feel the grief

The worst thing you can do to overcome a rough day or a rough patch is to not feel the grief. If you’ve been deeply hurt, do not pretend otherwise. Cry, if you must. Feel sad for a few hours. Even if your personality is such that crying or being highly emotional doesn’t seem consistent, do so in private. You need to feel the grief before searching for a pick me up.

Do something fun

Many people feel regretful when they enjoy an activity or a pass time when they believe they should still be lost in the grief or pain. That’s no way to get through a rough day or a rough patch. What you need to do is indulge in yourself, doing those activities you enjoy doing. If that is watching films, purchase a DVD, kick back and enjoy that. If it’s riding your bicycle, do so. The point is you aren’t beholden to feeling negative emotions forever.

Plan for the future

Planning for the future is a smart way to get over a rough day or a rough patch, since it requires you to make hard decisions about how you intend on responding to the pain. Grab your year planner and just get writing. Either the source of your pain will be a part of your future, or not. Once you know that answer, you’re better able to reconcile the hurt, or move on beyond it.

Tags: Depression, stress, stress relief