So, You've Had a Bad Day...

Some days just SUCK.

There's no happy face to put on that; it's just the truth.  There are days in our lives where we want nothing more than to be able to crawl back under the covers and start the day again.  Or; even better, just stay under those covers and ignore the world.  

For those of us to whom food is our comfort; how do we cope?  How do you get through the days when you wanna pull all your hair out of your head, without falling back into the bad pattern of emotional eating?  Or ending up bald.

Well, I have a few suggestions that may help you resist temptation and keep yourself firmly planted "on the wagon".

1. Find something creative to do.  This could involve almost anything.  It may seem strange, but I've found the act of creating something helps me to feel productive and gives me a sense of accomplishment.  These things inevitably make a bad day a little better.  

Also, if you can find something creative to do that keeps your hands busy (like knitting or painting or working on a car or bicycle) so much the better. They're less likely to stray over to a piece of chocolate if they are engaged in a task.

2. Exercise.  Sometimes all our frustration and annoyance with a bad day can be "worked off" if we get moving.  This can be especially difficult for those of us who only "feel better" when we snuggle up with a giant bowl of ice cream and a big fat book.  

But the snuggle and the book (and even a small amount of ice cream) can come later, after you've taken the edge off your frustration by expending some energy.  And the calories you'll burn will make it possible for you to enjoy that little scoop of ice cream without it unraveling your healthy living plan.

3.  Clean something.  This sort of combines the first two.  While cleaning can't really be seen as "creative", when you're finished, you certainly feel a sense of accomplishment.  And it is DEFINITELY exercise.  

4.  Dance.  I don't care if you used to be a ballerina or if you don't know how to dance the Bunny Hop.  Dancing is a great way to exercise, be creative, and work off frustration or anger at the same time.  Even sadness can be eased with dancing.  Music has INCREDIBLY powerful healing qualities.  Just listening to music can help you to release pent up feelings.  And if you dance along to the music you are not only burning calories, you are allowing your body to express emotion for you.  

It is also a terrific way to help you become more in tune with your body. Plus - it just feels good.  Trust me, when you are ANGRY nothing feels quite as good as ROCKING OUT to Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know".  

5.  Journal your feelings; or talk to someone who will really listen.  If you've got people in your life (like I am blessed with) who will JUST LISTEN to you when you need to vent, count yourself very lucky.  Now, I mean people who will let you vent and simply be there, without trying to add their problems onto yours.  You know what I mean, people who have to "top" your story.  You tell them why you're so mad and they say something like, "Nevermind, just wait till I tell you what Jessica did!" And suddenly the story is all about them. 

Btw, as a side note, I just LOVE when people respond to what I just told them by saying, "Nevermind! Listen to this!"  In other words, "who gives a crap about everything you just said - NEVERMIND IT! What I'm about to tell you is WAY more important and interesting."  NOT a good conversationalist.

But, I digress.  If you don't have a "venting partner" in your life, then journal it.  Some people find it hard to journal, and I understand that.  Sometimes it just takes practice.  

I advise people who are having a hard time, to write just EXACTLY what they are feeling in that second.  And keep writing whatever thoughts pop into your head.  If it makes absolutely no sense - WHO CARES!  No one will see it but you.  It's just your own tool to work on those feelings in a healthy way.

So, I hope there were some ideas here that will help you get through the next bad day without falling off the wagon and resorting to food.  

But I'll finish by saying this.  If you do step off your healthy path for a day, step back onto it tomorrow.  Do NOT let one bad day derail your whole plan.  A bad day, is just that (even if it turns into a COUPLE of bad days).  Pick yourself up and start back tomorrow.  Because you owe it to yourself to keep on going.

Good luck.  And here's hoping today is a GREAT day!!!