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 easy strategy to try to get out of a funk: her "1-2-3 survival strategy".
If you're struggling, follow these three steps, she suggests:
1. Do something you have to do;
2. Do something you want to do;
3. Do something for someone else.
This simple three-stage process combines a lot of things that are proven to make individuals feel better.
⢠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.
New York Times: Our are devices distancing us from real connections?