6 Tips On How To Save Yourself From A Bad Day At Work

I had a bad day recently.

And I still haven’t completely gotten out of it yet.

Just so you can imagine the situation better, imagine yourself doing a job that you hate.

Well, correction. 

The job is meh. Easy peasy. You are not challenged enough. You are not busy. But you don’t like it. Because the less you work, the more clumsy you feel, and the less power you have.

You had to look for uncompleted works that no one knew how to do, to complete. And you nailed it. At least, you contributed and cleaned the mess they made for almost 2 years ago.

Now you are assigned to a different boss. And then she was told that you were idle most of the time, that you are so free and didn’t have anything to do.

They didn’t take your job seriously. They didn’t take you seriously. And they didn’t respect you.

Not on words. But they don’t respect you through their behaviors. 

You feel left out. You feel estranged. And you feel under-appreciated. And ashamed.

Not a familiar feeling to you, who was always praised with excellent performance.

Well, that’s what happened to me.

And I felt like crap.

Even though I hate the job, because of the toxic culture and working environment, I was hurt by how they see me.

Do not care about how people think about you, you might say. And I said it before too. But because of my idle time, I didn’t have anything to back me up. 

So yes, their comments sting me.

There were some days that I came home from work and felt like half of the world was against me. I tried to shake the dirt off my shoulders, to have a happy and fresh me every time I walk through the door. I wish I could do that all the time.

But the truth is, there are some days that I cannot hang all my troubles outside my door. I already knew what to do in the long term to get me out of the rat hole, but I need an instant solution, something that can save myself from a bad day at work.

Breathe

Are you serious? Yes I am. The first thing that can help to save yourself from a bad day, is some deep and strong breaths.

This is so fucking cliche, I know. But just for a few moments, stop everything you are doing and just take some deep, conscious breaths. As the author of the book “Today I Affirm: A Journal that Nurtures Self Care” shared, breathing helps her to remember that she is in the present and that she can face everything in the present, in the past, and the future.

You don’t have to find a quiet, peaceful place to practice this. What you need is to breathe consciously, focus on your breath wherever you are, whenever you feel low.

Look straight at the problem

I don’t like to delay things, including how to solve my problem. Because the longer I delay, the more I learn to cope and live with it. If I don’t do anything, one day it will consume me and I won’t be able to get out of the rate hole.

Name your problem. Call it out loud, and then say or write down the solution if you can. It can help to save yourself from a bad day and bad mood. Rememver to journal every time you need to.

For me, the problem is that I hate the toxic environment. And I tried to cope with it for almost 9 months now. If I keep trying, one day I might even like it or get scared of getting a new job.

Even though it paid me well. I decided to find another job.

Once I've decided, the next step is easy. Challenging, but ease of mind. 

The thought that I don't have to stay at this job for so long anymore, actually helps to save my mood.

Make yourself sweat

I’m sure you will hate it when you have to put on exercise clothes to work out when you are angry or low. However, a little sweat will help your body release endorphins, which, in turn, make you happier and boost your mood.

Connect

Humans are social creatures. Unfortunately, nowadays we all often lack people in our lives. 

Everyone is way too busy now.

Spend time connecting with someone. Call your best friend and just let go. Even talking to strangers on the street will help to boost your mood.

Find things that you are grateful for

Life is too complicated, things are going bad, nothing is fair for you.

But wait, are you willing to trade your life with someone else’s?

Absolutely not. You have so many things to thank for. Your family, your children, your parents, your siblings, your friends. Your house, your vehicle, your room, your bed.

See? There are thousands of good things around you.

Show appreciation with people or things in life will help you feel connected and inspired. 

And hopefully, it can help to save yourself from a bad day at work.