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Health and Wellness

Bookmark This Article For When You're Having A Bad Day

25 self-care activities for when you just really need a pick-me-up.

Madison Davis

Aug 15, 2020

Missouri State University

Bookmark This Article For When You're Having A Bad Day

Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

Whether you are an incoming freshman, or a returning student - this semester is going to be different than anything we've ever had to do before. In a year that has already caused such a sharp incline in anxiety and stress, navigating campus during the time of Covid (as well as tumultuous social issues) is going to be hard on all of us.

It's important to take steps to care for ourselves emotionally, but whenever we're stressed it can be even more difficult to think of things that will make us feel better. Here is a list of activities to do whenever everything starts to feel a bit much:

Try new outfits with the clothes in your closet.

Have a mini dance session to get your blood pumping.

Go for a walk.

(A counselor explained to me that walking and other activities that make us use our right and left sides breaks up patterns of thought and helps ease stress!)

Make a to-do list, and put the three most important things at the top.

Leave positive comments on social media.

Do deep-dive research on a topic that interests you.

Watch DIY Youtube and TikTok videos.

Take a warm shower.

Make yourself a cup of tea or drink you really enjoy.

Declutter your personal space.

Do some light yoga or stretching.

Meditate or practice mindfulness.

Allow yourself time to watch a movie or your favorite TV show.

Journal and jot down your feelings.

Listen to a podcast.

Take a drive to discover a new part of your town.

Schedule and plan out the rest of your week.

Pamper yourself with a manicure/face mask/bubble bath.

Relax outside.

Put on clothes that make you feel confident.

Create a mood board on Pinterest.

Use essential oils and aromatherapy.

Let yourself simply rest.

Spend time with a friend.

Make a playlist of songs that lift your mood.

Self-care isn't selfish, and making time for yourself should always be a priority. Take as little or as much time as you need to recharge so you can keep moving forward as productive as ever.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

Bookmark This Article For When You're Having A Bad Day

25 self-care activities for when you just really need a pick-me-up.

In This Article:

Try new outfits with the clothes in your closet.

Have a mini dance session to get your blood pumping.

Go for a walk.

Make a to-do list, and put the three most important things at the top.

Leave positive comments on social media.

Do deep-dive research on a topic that interests you.

Watch DIY Youtube and TikTok videos.

Take a warm shower.

Make yourself a cup of tea or drink you really enjoy.

Declutter your personal space.

Do some light yoga or stretching.

Meditate or practice mindfulness.

Allow yourself time to watch a movie or your favorite TV show.

Journal and jot down your feelings.

Listen to a podcast.

Take a drive to discover a new part of your town.

Schedule and plan out the rest of your week.

Pamper yourself with a manicure/face mask/bubble bath.

Relax outside.

Put on clothes that make you feel confident.

Create a mood board on Pinterest.

Use essential oils and aromatherapy.

Let yourself simply rest.

Spend time with a friend.

Make a playlist of songs that lift your mood.

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This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

Run Around Clanging Pots and Pans in Everyone's Face

Eat the Last Few Pigs in a Blanket

Pop Twelve White Grapes

Burn Something

Smash Things Against a Wall

Spontaneously Begin an Irish Jig

Call Your Mother

Throw a Coffee Table Out a Window

Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at the Top of Your Lungs

Do Some Squats

Swan Dive into a Nearly Freezing Body of Water

Take a Shot

Time to be merry and bright.

"First Noel" by Leslie Odom, Jr

"A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Kelly Clarkson

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home" by Michael Buble

"Last Christmas" by Taylor Swift

"The Christmas Song" by Josh Groban

"White Christmas" by Idina Menzel

"O Holy Night" by David Archuleta

"Believe" by Josh Groban

"Les cloches du hameau" by Celine Dion

Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

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