If you’ve had a bit of a crap day how do you switch off and cheer yourself up?

[WhatGatsby]

Bit of work crap which is on-going and will hang over me for a while.

I’m fat so can’t eat junk. Went to an exercise class which was good but now it’s over I’m anxious and a bit sad again. Drinking a small beer but work again tomorrow so can’t get blotto. And watching Chernobyl which isn’t helping at all.

What’s a nice way to forget the crap and feel happy?

Music?

Well, I visited elderly MIL who is in a care home - helped to make me appreciate that I'm not!

And then I immersed myself in some crafting that required concentration, to stop me brooding on the bitchy colleague who was rude to me earlier today.

What made your day so crap?

I phone a work friend who is outrageously contemptuous and irreverent of most things. He’s brilliant at making me laugh so a quick chat before I switch off.
Then I walk the dog somewhere beautiful and often I swim outdoors. By then I’ve usually perked up. If not, a huge mug of tea in the hot tub.

Music is a good idea. Need to switch off before bed.
Work crap too identifying. Not massively serious but playing on my mind

I play piano or if I'm too tired listen to music.

Read.

Watch something on Iplayer.

Swim outdoors - love doing this when I can - no better mood booster, but due to childcare I can't do this very often.

Often things seem worse when we brood on them. Is there any one at work you can confide in / get advice from / escalate to?

I play music very loud so I can and dance to it (badly) which releases tension. I rant at DH over a glass of wine. Or my favourite tenderise a piece of meat the hitting with a rolling pin or similar is very satisfying

I go for a walk and take a bath. When the weather is good, I find sitting outside with a cup of tea and listening to some classical music or a podcast helps. It sounds weird, but silly things like doing an elaborate skin care routine (mask etc), shaving my legs or sorting my eyebrows will also clear my head. I just tend to get lost in it I think and it helps me forget.

Go for a walk
Sing
Shoot stuff in the face, only pixels mind.

Bath
Crappy book with easy story line
Mnetting
Red wine
1 small square v dark choc

And put lavender essential oil in bath

I go for a walk or sit in my garden. Have a shower (I find a bath overheats me) and lie in bed with the window open and read.

Obviously not tonight as I can't sleep at all but that is because I ate late.

Comfort tv. For me this is: Gavin and Stacey, Dinnerladies, Kath and Kim, Frankie and Grace.

Lots of double acts looking at that lineup!

Sorry you're having a rubbish time OP, it won't last forever.

Huge mug of EarlGrey in the jacuzzi..my nightly ritual post-gym..do stretches in it
(If i can be arsed) feel like ive been reborn when i get out like a prune60-90mins later..i occasionally have a night off but dont sleep as good..

Township on my iPad or Age of Empire on my computer. Games are great for keeping your fingers and brain busy, you just need to find the right one. Good luck OP, I understand

I've recently started mindfulness and it really helps me.

Sewing (machine) just little easy projects if I’m feeling rubbish.

Playing with DS (9) ‘s pets rats.

Go for a run

As above, I go for a run.

Walk in the woods
Yoga
Watching something funny on TV (Mock the Week, Whose Line, etc)
Upbeat music
Message a friend

Warm soak in a bath with Epsom Salts. Boosts your magnesium levels in your system which helps to relax you.
Cuddle the dog.

Excellent ideas thanks. There’s plenty there to keep me going.

Knitting, currently working on a soft toy dalek (maybe to exterminate my frustrations!) Between projects I knit squares for blankets and send them to shelters for the homeless or refugee projects. It doesn't take a lot of skill and is helpful to others.

A good book or a colouring app

Having a cuddle and chat with my cats