Ok so you’ve had a rough day. Whether it was work or kids or just a combination of everything – I got you. I am also here to tell you that you DESERVE to feel good. So, here is a list of my favorite remedies to feel better after a tough day.
“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
Read a Feel Good Book
My favorite book to recommend to anyone having a tough day/week/month is The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown. The Gifts of Imperfection is a guide to embracing imperfections and living wholeheartedly. It helps readers cultivate courage, compassion, and connection by letting go of the need for perfection. This book helped me understand my mom-guilt and gave me the tools to recognize and recover from the negativity it was causing me.
I also love to read feel-good books to help me feeeeeel more positive. I don’t want to perpetuate my “negative-nancies”, so reading a sunny book helps me step into a rose colored world for a minute and helps me feel better after a tough day.
Take a Bath
I didn’t used to be a bath person, but there is something magical about slipping into the soothing hot water by yourself. Take it up notch with bath salts, bubbles, candles and a feel good book. Even better, add some soothing spa sounds or sofeggio frequencies for the ultimate wellness experience.
Watch Stand-Up Comedy
When you least feeling like laughing, that is when you should. I love to force a good laugh by watching stand-up comedy. My favorite comedians that help me feel better after a tough day are:
- Nate Bargatze – clean comedy, so hilarious
- Bert Kreischer – not clean, especially funny when he talks about his daughters
- Theo Von – So silly
- Kevin Hart – All of his stuff is gold
- Tom Segura – His newest special on Netflix is sure to make parents laugh
- Eliza Shlesinger – She gets mom humour
- Joe Rogan – Strange Times special is very funny
Breathe Some Fresh Air
It is amazing what fresh air can do. When you are feeling defeated or stressed, taking a walk outside or even just sitting outdoors helps bring a sense of calm. To be honest, many times I have sat on my front step or on my back porch for 3 minutes during particularly difficult days at home with the kiddos. The fresh air, sunshine on my face (if the weather allows) helps me take a moment to re-center.
Talk to A Friend
When in doubt, text a friend. More than likely, that friend has been in your same position before or if they haven’t they can at least help you not feel so crazy. I have a tendency to seclude myself, crawl into a theoretical mental cave and shut down when I am having a tough day. However, on the tough days that I do reach out to a friend or my mom I notice that I feel better faster. It helps us not feel so alone because the truth is, we have people who love us and care about us and want to see us smile. I have to remind myself of this too.
Hug it Out
I read somewhere that we are supposed to be hugged 8+ times a day. Whether that means you give 8 hugs or receive 8 hugs, that connection does something to our body that releases the feel good chemicals. Self hugs count too! And hugs with pets! So, as silly as it sounds, hug yourself.
Sweat it Out
Exercise is proven to release endorphins that make us feel good. Absolutely, go out on that angry run or put on your headphones on and lift to some hardcore rock – its good for you. I like to workout in the evenings and while sometimes I am 100% not in the mood to exercise, the moment I get there I can feel the stress slipping away. Moving your body, breathing hard, pushing past physical limits can help you feel accomplished. You are strong!
Listen to a Sleepy Podcast
Do you ever have a hard time falling asleep after a tough day because you just keep thinking of all the things that went wrong? Me too. And that is why I love the Get Sleepy podcast. My favorite narrator, Thomas helps me fall asleep with his soothing voice and calming stories. The Get Sleepy podcast is a twice weekly story-telling podcast with the goal of helping you get a great night’s rest. Listening to the Get Sleepy podcast helps turn off my brain and then before I know it, its morning. There are tons of sleepy apps and the podcast app on iphone has many free options also.
Treat Yo’ Self
Any Parks and Recreation fans in the house? Treat yo self to feel better after a tough day, you deserve it. A little coffee treat or door dash yourself your favorite lunch from Panera can go a long way. I am not talking about blowing your budget or buying stuff. I am talking about gifting yourself something small to nourish you that you can feel good about. These are guilt-free treats for a parent who needs a little pick-me-up. My go-to feel good treat yo self treats are:
- Coffee & Danish from my favorite coffee spot
- Fast food ice-cream cone date with the kids (this one is a win-win)
- Pedicure
- Pack of at home face masks
- A new feel good book
Do A Craft
Whether you like to color, crochet, puzzle or paint, doing something with your hands gets you out of your own head. There was a time when I realized I actually didn’t have any hobbies. All I did was mom stuff, wife stuff and go to the gym. Obviously, I needed to figure out what I liked to do for me so I bought a new book and a watercolor paint set. Am I an artist? Definitely not. But it is a really great alternative to scrolling and helps me feel better after a tough day, especially if I can sit outside. Here are are few more feel good crafts:
- Woobles Beginner Crochet Kit – So cute
- Watercolor Paint Set – Perfect for beginners
- Coloring Book with Gel Pens
- Diamond Art
- Paint By Numbers – this would be fun to get together with a group of friends and do
Dance
Turn on some happy tunes and move your body no matter how good of a dancer you’re not. Get the kids involved too. Or have your own silent disco with headphones.
We created a playlist we like to dance to as a family. It not only helps us as parents shake off the bad vibes, but also let’s us be a little silly and make the kids smile. Check out the “Smiley Faces” playlist HERE on Amazon Prime Music.
Think Positively
My internal dialogue, the way I talk to myself in my head can be really cruel somedays. I have found that having positive power mantras that you can remind yourself of in those dark moments is really helpful. These 3 mantras help me feel better after a tough day:
I am not my thoughts.
Jay Shetty
I can choose which thoughts I give energy to.
Jay Shetty
I am the calm in the chaos
I heard this somewhere, clung to it ever since
Don’t worry about creating these mantras yourself, follow people like Jay Shetty on social media or download a podcast to listen to. Here are a few lists to help you get started:
- 16 Best Happiness Podcasts That’ll Uplift You
- 7 Mental Health and Wellbeing Instagram Accounts to Follow
- 12 Podcasts About Motivation That’ll Inspire You To Create A Life You Love
You Will Feel Better After a Tough Day
This too shall pass they say. And I’ve been there, when you feel like your negativity funk might never pass. My hope is that this list helps you find some relief, relaxation and patience during those times. And as a reminder, its ok to have a tough day 🙂
Yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable and sometimes afraid, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am also brave and worthy of love and belonging.
Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
What is your feel better go-to?
