Tough day at work? Bad days are bound to happen, but there are productive steps you can take to move forward and show up at your best the next day.
Get through the day as best as you can.
Try to leave the experience in the moment it happened. If possible, leave the space where the occurrence happened and take a few deep breaths. Then proceed with the day as needed until you can fully process the situation.
Put it into perspective.
Was it a bad day or was it a bad few minutes? Making a mistake or feeling embarrassed can be enough to ruin your entire day, but it doesn’t always have to. Frame the experience in the grand scheme of the day.
Create a good experience.
You’re in charge of your day, so create an opportunity to experience something good. Work on a project you’ll know you’ll succeed on, take a break to enjoy your favorite snack, or do something kind for someone else.
Leave work at work.
At the end of the day, transition out of work mode and leave the negativity of the day behind. Whether you drive home with the radio off, call a friend on your commute, or get takeout and clear your schedule for the evening, don’t let the day end at the first sign of a bad experience.
Chances are no one is still thinking about what happened after they’ve gone home for the day. If others are moving on, you should too. Depending on the situation, a bad day can have lingering effects for you or others. If that’s the case, use your time off to clear your head, then handle the situation next time you’re at work with the best possible resolution.
Put mental health first.
Bad days are normal, but how work impacts your mental health matters. If your workdays are more bad than good, it might be an indication that something is wrong in your job, workplace, relationships with coworkers, or how you prioritize work in your life. A bad day doesn’t mean it’s a bad job but keep an eye on trends to see if there’s more to the story.
Disclaimer: These general guidelines do not constitute medical advice. Please consult with a physician to determine best health practices for your needs.
