Image: Michal Marcol / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
It happens to me ever so often. I wake up and everything just goes wrong. I get mad at people for no reason because of it and a vicious cycle of negative energy builds until someone explodes. The negativity fosters resentment, ruins relationships, and creates an awful tension all because I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Not a good situation to be in. Fortunately, such events no matter how big or small do not have to completely ruin your day.
Stop and smell the roses, literally – Nature is something that can always give you a sense of peace. How can anyone not feel all warm and fuzzy after seeing some beautiful flowers or hearing birds chirping in the sunshine? A walk in the park to admire the forest or a lake allows you to disconnect from your life for a bit (i.e. do not bring you cell phone or laptop with you). Thinking about how big and wonderful the world is can also ground you and allow the negativity to go away. I often rationalize my problems by thinking: I am one person in this big world. Does this little annoyance really matter in the grand scheme of things? Often times the answer is no.
Write it out – Putting your frustrations on paper can be very therapeutic. Journaling has been proven to better physical and mental health. This is one of the reasons I started this blog. I find that by putting my experiences down on “paper”, I am able to rationalize them and also help others at the same time by sharing my story. I can then bring my internal discussion to fruition by externally interacting with the comments of my articles. It’s like free therapy!
Think of the future – Will this issue matter in a day, a year, in 5 years? If not, then why be angry over it? Sure, getting peed on by your dog first thing in the morning is not a good thing, but will it matter tomorrow? This type of thinking can really help to bring tranquility to your life. However, it is something that does not come naturally and has to be worked on over time (which I am still in the process of doing). Not an easy task but very useful once on is able to accomplish it.
Happy thoughts – If all else fails, go to your happy place. Recall a wonderful life experience like a fun or beautiful place you traveled to or a recent encounter with some great people. Think about the joy you get out of your hobbies or passions. I often have a place like this in my mind when I meditate. Calming visualizations, even if you just close your eyes for a second, can help to bring your anger level down to something a bit more manageable.
And voilà, bad day gone! Well, maybe not really, but these calming tips can allow to you maintain a sense of serenity during any type troubling times. What do you do to get through a bad day?
