11 Things To Do On Bad Days To Feel Better

This post is all about 11 things to do on your bad days to get yourself out of a negative headspace and feel good again.

Life is full of moments—some that lift us up and make us feel invincible, and others that challenge our very core.

Our days are made of stress, happy surprises, and everything in between.

We become quite adept at navigating through these highs and lows, but some days are just…bad.

You know, the days when everything seems to be going wrong all at once and nothing is in your control.

Your payment is delayed, a random stranger behaves rudely to you, your dog gets sick, so you get sick too, and your partner is too busy to buy you flowers and chocolates.

It doesn’t really matter how grave the situation is or how trivial.

You just find yourself throwing up your hands in the air and declaring “I am having a bad freaking day.”

Days like these can make even the normal tasks feel like climbing the mountain.

All you want to do is curl up and hide from the world, and I know just how isolating that feeling can be.

But cliche as this may sound, it’s okay to not be okay.

You don’t have to fix everything, but you can find little ways to soothe your heart and mind.

Whether you’re having a bad day, or a series of bad days, these 11 activities will help you shake off your ‘bad day’ vibes and turn that frown upside down.

Sounds good? Then read on, please. I’ve got you!

11 Comforting Things To Do On A Bad Day

1. Have A Good Cry

Let me start off by reminding you that crying is not a sign of weakness.

It’s a release, your body’s way of processing pain, stress, and sadness.

If you’ve been holding back tears, you’ve got to let them flow.

Find a quiet place, grab some tissues, and give yourself permission to feel every emotion that’s bubbling to the surface.

Crying doesn’t always solve problems, but it can make you feel so much lighter.

Let the tears fall and trust that it’s okay to be vulnerable, even if it’s just with yourself.

Follow it up with a splash of cold water on your face to feel fresh, and put on a good moisturizer on your face, please.

2. Take a Warm Shower

When your spirit feels low, a warm shower can act like a cleansing ritual.

Step under the warm water, close your eyes, and for a few minutes, focus only on the sensation of the water.

Imagine the heaviness of the day melting away with water and going down the drain.

Feel the warmth hug your muscles, loosening any tightness that might be present.

Remind yourself that you deserve to feel cared for, even in a simple way like this.

Use a good shower gel afterward and dry yourself off with a fluffy towel.

Skincare will be a perfect way to wrap up your ‘bad day’ shower routine.

3. Curl Up With A Comforting Book, Show Or Movie

Think about the books and shows that have made you feel safe at some point in your life.

On your bad days, these same stories might be just the band-aid your heart needs.

It could be a rom-com you’ve seen a hundred times, a light-hearted TV series, or a new novel from one of your favorite authors.

If reading feels too difficult, audiobooks are another gentle option.

Press play, close your eyes, and let the narrator’s voice transport you somewhere else.

The goal isn’t to distract yourself from your emotions entirely but to rest in a place that feels familiar, warm, and unthreatening.

Let yourself laugh or smile, even if it feels fleeting because every little moment of joy matters.

You might like: 30 Hygge Practices For A Heartwarming Time

4. Indulge in Your Favorite Comfort Food

Sometimes, food is more than just sustenance. It can be a source of joy, warmth, and nostalgia.

On bad days, don’t worry about the perfect meal or counting calories. Instead, listen to your cravings.

If a bowl of creamy mac and cheese sounds good, make it for yourself.

If a slice of warm apple pie can make your heart a bit happier, have it.

If you need a steaming cup of hot chocolate, topped with marshmallows, then go for it.

Savor each bite or sip, and let the flavors bring you a moment of solace.

There’s absolutely no guilt in treating yourself on days when you need a bit of extra love.

5. Go Outside For A Few Minutes

Nature is a healer. It always has been, and always will be.

It’s easy to forget this when you’re buried under stress or sadness, but stepping outside can make a world of difference to your mood.

If you can, then please walk to a nearby park or find a quiet spot where you can be alone in the sky.

Feel the breeze on your face, take in the rustling of leaves, and absorb fresh air.

Even if it’s cloudy or drizzly, being outdoors can remind you that the world is still turning, and there’s beauty to be found.

But if going stepping sounds too draining (which is understandable), just stand by your window, open it wide, and breathe deeply.

Feel the air fill your lungs and try to ground yourself in the present moment.

Reconnecting with the natural world, even briefly, could gently ease the storm inside you and make your day better.

6. Write It Out

If your mind feels weighed down by emotions you can’t quite articulate, then just write out.

Pour out everything without holding back — the anger, sadness, confusion, and numbness.

This is your time to be unfiltered and raw. So, don’t worry about doing it right.

You can also write a letter to yourself on a page.

Write about what hurts, what you wish for, and how exhausted you feel.

You might not solve anything, but getting it out of your head and onto paper will really help, trust me.

For those who struggle to find the words, drawing or doodling might work just the same.

7. Call A Friend Who Makes You Feel Safe

Reaching out can be one of the hardest things to do on a bad day, but it can be the most healing thing you do on such a day.

Think of that one friend who always makes you feel understood. The one who doesn’t try to fix you but listens without judgment.

Pick up the phone, and just talk to them. You don’t have to talk about what’s bothering you if you’re not ready.

Just hearing a familiar, loving voice can be enough to remind you that you’re not alone.

Connection is powerful, and even a few minutes of feeling heart and supported can make a bad day feel less isolating.

8. Wrap Yourself In Something Cozy

This is the easiest-to-follow tip in this list but it can be so healing.

To give yourself the comfort you need on a bad day, wrap yourself up in cozy stuff.

Grab your favorite oversized sweater, put on your fluffiest socks, or wrap yourself in a blanket that smells like home.

Feel the warmth as your way of giving yourself a gentle and reassuring hug.

You can also make a cozy little nest on your couch or your bed. Surround yourself with pillows, cuddle up with a soft stuffed animal, and relax.

Sometimes, you need to physically comfort yourself to feel safer in your mind and heart.

9. Practice Grounding Techniques

When your emotions are spiraling, grounding techniques can bring you back to the present.

One simple method is the “5-4-3-2-1” exercise. I first discovered it in a cute little romance book I was reading, and since then, I’ve used it so many times, because it actually works.

Name five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.

Focusing on your senses can calm your racing mind and bring you back to where you are.

It’s like tapping into mindfulness when nothing feels good.

Another technique you can try is to plant your feet firmly on the ground, press your hands together, feel the stability beneath you, and remind yourself that you’re safe.

Grounding practices might not fix whatever is wrong in your life but they can help you find strength in the now and feel in charge of your life.

10. Do Small Acts Of Self-Care

Self-care has become quite a fancy buzzword, thanks to social media.

But at its core, it’s actually the practice of looking after yourself in small ways, and on your bad days, that’s actually what you need to be doing.

You can practice self-care by washing your face with cool water, applying a soothing face mask, or making a cup of chamomile tea.

You can also do it by moisturizing your hands or feet with a lotion that smells divine or brushing your hair and tying it up gently.

These tiny self-care activities might sound like routine stuff, but they’re actually a way of telling yourself, “You’re worth taking care of.”

Even if your energy is at rock bottom, doing one small thing for yourself can remind you that you deserve kindness.

So, embrace self-care on your bad days, to whatever extent you can, and make yourself looked after.

11. Let Yourself Rest

In a world that glorifies productivity, it’s hard to accept that sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is rest.

On bad days, exhaustion can feel like a lead weight. Your body and mind might be begging you to slow down.

So, give yourself permission to take a nap or just lie down for a while without feeling guilty.

Resting is not a sign of failure; it’s an act of self-love.

You’re not being lazy by doing this. You’re giving your body and mind the space they need to heal.

When you wake up, you may not feel whole yet, but you will feel more capable of facing the world and your life again.

It’s Okay To Have Bad Days

I know that bad days can feel, well, bad. But they don’t last forever.

Life might not be favoring you today, but it will tomorrow, or the next day, or the next week.

For today, just take a deep breath, stop fretting about things you can’t control, and try one of the comforting activities from this post.

You’ll feel better than you do in this moment, I promise.

Did my post help? Let me know how I did in the comment box. And if you have any tip for bad days, then add share that too. I’m always grateful for new ideas.