What do you do when you're having a bad day?

[User202004]

I have my good days and bad days through this, like others I assume. This evening is a low one for me but probably one of the lowest moods I've had, fearful of the future, missing life before, what's to come etc. What do you do when you're having a low mood/day in this? Any tips appreciated :) I usually go for a bath but we're on a meter so can't keep doing that! Also finding TV harder to concentrate on although enjoying watching old classic films I've not seen in a long time.

Go for a run!

Curl up with my favourite dvd or audio book.

I have low days too. I try and talk to someone about it on text. I definitely feel better after getting things off my chest, otherwise it all swirls around in my head endlessly. That's the only thing that works for me tbh.

I hope you have a better day tomorrow. This is hard for everyone (apart from certain people I know who seem to be totally fine and completely unaffected by it all )

@DownWhichOfLate oh how I WISH I had that kind of mindset, I've no doubt it would help massively, I'm of the comfort eating variety

Depending on the time of day and if its nice out I will make myself a cup of tea/pour a big glass of wine, grab some cake and sit in the garden or curl up on the sofa and read.

Or bundle ds in his pushchair and go for a really long walk.

Now is the perfect time to start! Well, not actually right now as it’s dark and late.... but... tomorrow!

Give myself permission to do fuck all which is "productive".. I do try to stay off Mumsnet/the internet in general though as generally it makes things worse (NB I am not always successful at this).

The next day I try to go for a walk early while it's nice and quiet.

Weirdly I write to my future self - sometimes in my diary, sometimes on the 'dearfutureme' website and send them to my email on specific days in the future. It helps me to think that things won't stay this way forever and that the worries I have today won't necessarily amount to anything.

I also find 'DuoLingo' distracting and singing favourite songs.

I suffer with anxiety anyway, it's good to learn what makes you feel good and make time to do it, listening to music, exercise, reading, cooking, anything that takes your mind off it all. Sometimes it helps to write things down, keep a diary, think about the day and try to find some positives, no matter how small, then write them down. Or get a piece of paper and write down everything that's worrying you - then look at the list and think about whether you can change anything or whether it's all just stuff that is outside your control but is draining you, can you change how you are going to feel about some of these things? Try mindfulness or meditation apps or videos if that appeals. Most importantly recognise that it's normal to feel scared and worried, but these are just feelings, they will pass, they don't have to control you. Good luck x

I watch shows on utube. At first I thought I won't like theatre on the small screen but oh my, I watch about 2 per day and I get really drawn into them.

Thanks again everyone, didn't have a very good night last night.

@DownWhichOfLate I went for a run for the first time in about 4 years this morning, I took my boys with me, we did the first day of couch to 5k and I feel so much better for it.

Ah, fantastic! Maybe think of this as an opportunity to get super fit!

I exercise, in the morning, outside unless it's raining (lucky enough to have a garden but I would use our local park if I needed to). On odd day I have not exercised I find myself feeling much worse and often quite tearful.

Beyond that I stick my head in the sand and try not to think about what life will be like when we get out of this. Basically I just take each day as it comes.

I also go for a run, or a long, fast walk. I get out early every day or I feel totally down by about 11am. It really helps.

Paint...

My house is starting to look like new. I thank the universe for my immense level of procrastination, without it, I wouldn’t have found myself with so much paint and so many unfinished projects.

I try and have something small to look forward to later in the day. Could be reading a couple of chapters of a book ( I've been buying a book every time I go to Tesco for a big shop) or watching a good movie when the house is quiet and everyone's in bed and treating myself to a bar of nice chocolate.
Through the day I try and get out for a walk- even 10 minutes and I feel a bit better.

Avoid the news.
Walk in the fresh air.
Tackle the garden.
Watch crap TV (Midsomer Murders anyone?)
Count my blessings.
Read
Remember what my dear nan always said, "This too shall pass".

I drink wine and video chat with friends. I’m finding it hard to do anything vaguely useful....

-go for a run
-go for a walk
-yoga
-HIIT
-bake a cake
-have a shower
-put music on
-write a 'I'm grateful for... list'
-wash up/clean the house
-remind myself I've gotten through every other bad day in my life, so I can do this
-watch a favourite show (Detectorists always cheers me up)
-read a book
-write a letter to a friend

Basically, something/anything to get OUT of my head! Usually if my mood is low it's because I'm over-thinking, criticising myself or pressuring myself.

Doing something enjoyable, or even slightly productive, really helps.

Sometimes you can't fight it though, and nothing helps us feel better; that's normal and okay, but be kind to yourself. :)

I cry, eat chocolate and watch traffic cops.

It’s hard not to get overwhelmed, have to step away from the news, I kind of miss celebrities doing stupid things

Exercise has been a lifesaver here. That and taking ten minutes in the garden to watch birds, breathe and reset.

I am also having a bad day. It’s the never ending uncertainty and just not knowing what’s going to happen .

@Sosadandempty
Aw, bless you! I know how you feel. if I knew now how long for, even if it was months, I'd cope better. It's like we've been put on pause and don't know when we'll be taken off it.
Take care

Thank you @SophieB100, love to you and to everyone else 💖.

I write. I try hard not to look at the news, and I keep in touch with all my friends. Some are finding it easier than others, some are being personally affected by covid and some are not, but we are all trying to support each other by staying in regular contact. Hope you're ok, OP