Bad days can be tough on you. Here's how to cope. Photo / 123RF
Bad days can be tough on you. Here's how to cope. Photo / 123RF
We all have bad days, sometimes for seemingly no good reason at all.
There are many ways to try to get over a bad day, some more productive than others, some also easier than others.
Emmy-nominated comedy writer Caissie St Onge recently tweeted about a very good and fairly easystrategy to try to get out of a funk: her "1-2-3 survival strategy".
If you're struggling, follow these three steps, she suggests:
Doing my tried & true 1-2-3 survival strategy for tough days. 1. Do something you have to do. 2. Do something you want to do. 3. Do something for somebody else. Done #1 & have 2 & 3 picked out. If you want to, share how YOU’RE keeping YOUR shit together! Maybe it’ll help someone.
• Doing something you have to do, even if only one thing, will give you a sense of accomplishment.
• Doing something you want to do will be pleasurable and raise your happiness levels at least temporarily (and sometimes that's all you need).
• Doing something for someone else will give you a sense of purpose.
No matter how bad a day you're having, this strategy means you will be productive, look after yourself and even help someone else.
Her strategy resonated with a lot of people on Twitter, with more than a thousand people liking the tweet.
St Onge shared her own three things from that day: "I had to do an assignment for work. I'm going to have dinner with my family. And I will make calls to my reps & texted with a friend who needed an ear."
Where to get help:
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7) • Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7) • Youthline: 0800 376 633 • Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7) • Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm) • Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7) • Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155 • Samaritans 0800 726 666 • If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
