Simple tips for getting through the tough days

I try my best to be a relatively positive person, to not to let the negativity of life consume me, but even I struggle with getting through the tough days. 

General life in itself is hard – no one has a life free of negativity. But when you live with a chronic illness, or mental health condition (or both), it can feel like the bad outweighs the good, and getting through each day can feel impossible.

I’ve had my fair share of tough days, and have spent a lot of my life figuring out how best to get through them. I’ve not got it perfect by any means, but I thought I would share a few simple things that I try and do when things are really bad, in case they can help anyone else out there going through the same thing.

Please note I am not a healthcare professional, and if you are really struggling it is always best to seek professional advice. 

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Take a breath

The first thing I recommend is just to stop for a moment and take a deep breath. 

When you’re having a bad day, it can feel like everything is going wrong all at once, and it is overwhelming. To slow things, and to give myself a chance to take it all in, I just take one deep breath. In and out. Nothing complicated.

No, it doesn’t make the world stop and instantly make my day better, but it does help to give me a breather (no pun intended) before I take any next steps. 

Next time you are struggling to get through a tough day, just give it a try. Take a moment to take a deep breath and see if it helps you clear your thoughts enough to get through it. Even if all it does is help you decide what to do next, that’s enough.

Have a nap

I honestly don’t think there’s anything a nap can’t fix, but I may be biased here as I do have to spend a lot of time resting. 

When you’re in the midst of a bad day, the negative thoughts swirling, and you don’t know which way to turn, it is completely exhausting. Resting can be a great help here, to restore your body and mind. 

Even if you don’t make it as far as having a nap, it’s important to give yourself permission to rest. Take a break. And do what is needed for your mind and body to recover. Resting is still productive, because your body needs it, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Do something that brings you joy

For me personally, joy is the key for getting through any tough day. It doesn’t need to be complicated. It doesn’t need to be big. Just doing simple things to bring yourself joy will make any tough day feel so much easier. 

Listen to music that hypes you up and makes you feel good. Do a little silly dance. Eat your favourite food. Doodle something silly. Do some lego. Read a book. Talk to someone who always makes you smile. 

Everyone is different, so your joyous things will not be the same as mine, but try making a list of small and easy things you can do to bring yourself some joy on a bad day and see if they are helpful next time.

Watch your comfort show

I am the kind of person who finds comfort from re-watching shows or films, and I think all of us have at least one show that we love so much that it just instantly makes you feel at peace. 

I have a couple – mainly Friends and Gilmore Girls. If I am ever feeling completely rubbish, or having a horrendous day, I just get myself comfy and put one of these shows on, and give myself a break from whatever else is going on.

So if you are in that space right now, get yourself comfortable, and put on your favourite show. See if that doesn’t help you get through a little easier.

Put on your comfy clothes

Watching your favourite show is nothing without wearing something that is super comfortable. 

Go and dig out your comfiest pajamas, jumper, jogging bottoms, hoodie, whatever it is you actually enjoy wearing – I don’t care if none of it matches, or if it’s not clean, as long as it makes you happy to put on that is all that matters.

I promise you, if you do this, you will feel better and more equipped to tackle the rest of your day. You will also be super comfortable, which is a bonus. I am a huge believer in comfort.

Name one positive thing about your day

One thing I’ve started doing recently is to name one good thing that has happened every single day. That way not only have I found a positive even on the bad days, but I also then have a list of good things that have happened to refer back to when I feel like my whole life is falling apart.

When I first started it was as simple as ‘I got out of bed’, or ‘I made myself something to eat’. I kept it small, to ease myself into it. I found that as the days went on I was able to expand – I was noticing things at work I was doing well and celebrated those, or things my dog or husband did. 

Now I find that I actually seek out these things. If I have the energy I try and go out and do the things that have made me happy previously, and life itself has seemed a whole lot more positive.

Why not give it a try? What is one good thing that you can name for today?

Practice gratitude

If you really struggle to find something positive in your day, then thinking about the good things in your life in general can be helpful. There is often more good in your life than there appears (I promise you that is true).

You can start small too – are you grateful for your favourite food, or item of clothing. How do these things make you feel?

Is there a person in your life who has helped you? Is there something you are good at? 

And if you are struggling for ideas why not get access to my free gratitude journal by signing up to my mailing list.

Gratitude is a great way to help make your bad day better, and overall improve your mood. When you live with a chronic illness and the struggles that come with that daily, it can feel like there is nothing to be grateful for. But today I am grateful for the sunshine coming in through my window, making the room so much brighter – everything is better when the sun is out. It’s that simple. 

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And those are my simple tips and tricks for getting through the bad days, which I hope you find helpful. If you’ve tried any of them let me know how it has gone in the comments (I hope they’ve helped!)

Are there any that I’ve missed? I am sure anyone reading this right now would be interested in any other simple suggestions – so please do share them below.