Reading Time: 3 Minutes
Oh WHAT a turd of a week it’s been guys.
It’s weeks like this one when I just wanna come home after a HARD day’s work and, to quote a scholar “make sweet, tender love with my baby, and cry in her arms until we fall asleep”.
Hahahaha, that scholar makes me laugh.
But truth be told, it has been a trying week.
Got a couple of urgent deadlines due as well as a FLOOD of maintenance requests for multiple properties, on TOP of not sleeping well AND feeling under the weather.
Boohoo to TheFrugalSamurai – he’s doing it tough.
But I am determined to not let this drag me down, in fact I’ll share with you guys what I do specifically for moments like these:
Gratefulness
A good step to take when you’re feeling overwhelmed, is to write out a grateful message. Gratitude is a powerful message and makes us enjoy what we have.
I normally hand-write it out each night and read it to MrsFrugalSamurai, all the things which I am grateful for.
Sometimes it’s as simple as, “I cooked dinner, I win”.
Exercise
Not only is exercising a great way to staying healthy, it releases endorphins in our brains (the feel-good factor) which almost always makes me feel better.
So that’s what I did, went for a quick jog in the park to de-stress from LIFE.
Music
Ah yes, one of my personal favourites – doesn’t matter what you’re into, music is a SUREFIRE way to calm that stress and get your mind back to balance.
Matter of fact, going a bit fancy (pronounced fun-say) and listening to a bit of classical right now.
Planning
If you’re like me, more of a doer than a thinker, sometimes it’s difficult to plan ahead and not live a YOLO approach to life.
But scientific research has shown that anticipation or expectation of an event can be more of a powerful emotion than the actual reality of the event.
Funnily enough I find this is true, sad to say but one of the MOST looked forward to events in the week is the Sunday Soccer games held with the same bunch of guys for over 10 years… guaranteed to be a roller-coaster and emotionally charged affair of the HIGHEST drama.
Makes me salivate just thinking about scoring the game winning goal in the dying minute against Malaysian Chelsay or Chinese Torres.
Social
Again, one of the resolutions I’ve made to myself this year is to maintain our relationships – nothing but nothing gets me out of an anti-social and introverted mood than messaging friends to arrange our next meetups.
It forces me out of my funk just thinking of the laughs and good times to be had.
WOOOOO.
Give
Money is NOT the key to happiness. The key to happiness is feeling valued and appreciated.
What better way than to give back.
Which is what I did – ironically with money… but that’s not the point you guys!
Bought a McDonald’s meal for a homeless guy, meant more to him than it did to me that’s for sure.
Might have been selfish because I wanted to feel better about myself BUT I think I did the right thing there.
Daydream
Lastly, it’s a good ol-fashioned daydream.
I usually do this for 5-10 minutes whenever I’m a bit down and think about how life would be if I had taken different paths and choices.
Letting the mind wander usually makes me feel better – from the affirmations and lessons which have been learnt to just knowing that I’ve made the correct choices at the time with my decisions which led to where I am today.
It’s a powerful way to connect with the sub-conscious but yknow, somehow I end up dreaming about winning the lotto, and what I’d do afterwards!
~~~
There ya go guys – some quick and easy strategies which I employ whenever I’m feeling a little out of it.
What tips do you have when you’re feeling down? Let me know in the comments below!
Hope the week’s going better for you by the way – certainly ain’t over by any means but gonna be a TOUGH slog. Can see it EVER so clearly.
Oh well, life is hard but not trying is harder right!
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67 Comments
Jeremy Life
Absolutely right. I usually doing working out or listening to calm music when I have hard days. It really helps me.
The Frugal Samurai
Yeah it does help doesn’t it! Listening to tunes right now as we speak… they’re a life-saver!
cristinaleau
I fell you. This week it’s a long one and it’s only wednesday. I have weeks like this. The problem it’s than when i’m felling like this I can hardly find any music that would get me out of my mood. But daydreaming always helps. 🙂
The Frugal Samurai
Hope it gets better for us! Surely it will RIGHT. Yay to daydreaming – get some of that positive juju back!
crisshex88
I really need these tips, I’m facing unproductive days and full of stress, I need to give me a brake!
The Frugal Samurai
Yeah take a break! No point killing yourself for someone else (if it is for someone?) You gotta do you!
Krysten (@WeirdGirlBlog)
I have been super stressed out lately, a lot is going on in my home. I really needed this today, thank you.
The Frugal Samurai
Glad to help, and hope things get better for you – BELIEVE!!!
Tara Pittman (@momknowsbest15)
I like exercise when I am stressed. I also tend to clean after a hard day.
The Frugal Samurai
Yeah, exercise and cleaning are good aren’t they! Channel that negative energy and burn it all off into oblivion (in this case, the dishes!)
Amber
Oh yeah, music has always helped me out too. That or chocolate. I find reading mellows me out as well.
The Frugal Samurai
Ooo love a bit of chocola! Good one… hmm reading, why didn’t I think of that? I’ll give it a try next time!
wanderwithola
What an interesting list! I love the gratefulness part, which works really great every time I feel down. It’s good to say “Thank you” in the morning before we start the day and say affirmations to ourselves that everything is going to be great today.
The Frugal Samurai
So good to hear that you do! What type of affirmations do you say to yourself can I ask? Haha, I normally just tell myself “BELIEVE” and I do…
Mosaics Lab
This is amazing and really need it! I usually exercise, i didn’t know day dreaming also helps. This is great.
The Frugal Samurai
Thank you for reading! Yeah give daydreaming a go, makes things seem much much better!
Dalene Ekirapa
Music always does it for me. Currently, my playlist is full of Lauren Daigle’s worship songs and I listen the songs when I want to unwind and feel at peace.
The Frugal Samurai
Oh I’ve heard of her! A fine choice – hopefully there’s more up days than down!
Megha Saraf (@megha811)
I loved your last point day dreaming 🙂 whenever I have a hard day I talk to my hubby. He’s my bff.
The Frugal Samurai
Good for you that your hubby is your best friend! Rarer than you think. Thank you for reading!
Alexithymia_Shubhi
Yeah. I agree with you. I listen to music which refreshes mind and maintain plans with small deadlines.
The Frugal Samurai
Do you get through the deadlines? Sometimes I find that I’ll put a track on… and before you know it – 2 hours have passed, when you’re in the zone… can accomplish so much!
Alexithymia_Shubhi
hahaa yess
kittyslifestyle
Thank you soo much for posting this… I am a mom of two and I needed some motivation.. Music is the best thing that heals….
The Frugal Samurai
No problem, glad to be of service! Yeah wow, I’m assuming they are young ‘uns! You are the true hero, thank you for reading.
Deola
Gratefulness, Exercise and Music definitely helps me out too when I am down. Sometimes I get a sad tune and use it as a soundtrack for crying lol
The Frugal Samurai
Let it all out! I reckon most of us guys (men) cry a sneaky tear here and there when it gets tough as well! Feels much better for it (there I’ve said it!) Thank you for reading.
Heidi
I agree with all of these, but I think giving, gratitude and exercise are key. Exercise re-energizes, and the other two help us think of others and recognize the good things in our lives.
The Frugal Samurai
Oh yeah, I agree with you 100%, in fact – can probably sum it down to those three! Thanks for reading.
Lyosha Varezhkina
For me the best and the easiest way is to exercise. If I feel odd for whatever reason it always clears my head. Music is great too.
The Frugal Samurai
Yknow, same here – I think it’s the negative energy being burned off! Even when I’m listening to music after a crappy day – still gotta dance and bust a rhyme or two! Thanks for reading.
Hannah Marie
These are helpful and encouraging. We all need to read something like this. This is powerful.
The Frugal Samurai
Thank you for saying so, and for the kind words, oh and for reading!
Alexandra Cook
Sometimes, after a long day, I just like to sit and stare. Kind of like a meditation but not structured lol
The Frugal Samurai
Oh interesting! A bit of gentle reflection perhaps! Is it staring in anything particular? Have a friend who just stares at a white wall!
Peachy A.
Great advice here! Will take note of this for when I’m having a hard day.
The Frugal Samurai
Hope you do! What happened to your blog btw!
Mar Ward
We have a nightly ritual around the dinner table where we tell each other one good thing that happened in our day, and focus on the good instead of the bad.
The Frugal Samurai
Nice one, think MrsFrugalSamurai and I will need to incorporate this into our daily routine – thanks for the idea!
Michael David Oyco
For the meantime, exercise is my way of dealing with it. Thanks for the list. I can try some of them soon
The Frugal Samurai
Nice nice, exercise is surely the way to go seems like – don’t blame ya, cardio or weights?
AnythingRad.Com
Thanks for this!! I have had my fair share of struggles too, and sometimes I get to be clouded by negativity and ungratefulness… so this helped me today to open my eyes to a brighter perspective. Eberything will be okay in the end!
The Frugal Samurai
Aww, hope things turn out better for you – all the best! Glad it pushed you along a little, and you’re right, they will be okay in the end!
Tessa Christianson
I adore these!! What amazing suggestions! I find that when my day sucks the best way to get out of a mental tailspin is to list the things I am grateful for – it changes my mindset every time!
The Frugal Samurai
Fantastic! Love the gratefulness, sometimes in our crazy day to day lives we forget that little bit aye? Good to see it gets you out of it! Thanks for reading.
Tadpoles And Mud Puddles
When I feel run down I don’t want to do anything. I really like your tips, especially the thought of giving back. It definitely a great way to feel good even when you’re down.
The Frugal Samurai
I know right, just do one good deed a day and you’re doing something right I reckon! Hope you don’t feel run down too often!
Ane
Like you, I find that music makes me feel better when I have had a difficult day. I don’t do exercise, so… lol
Writing down what I’m grateful for every night sounds like a good idea, will give that a go sometime.😁
The Frugal Samurai
Hahaha you’re just like MrsFrugalSamurai, not a minute of proactive exercise for that one hehe – good luck with practicing gratefulness 🙂
lattelindsay
I probably most of these on a daily basis, life can be too stressful! But going for a walk with music on is one of my favourites.
The Frugal Samurai
Nice one, how often do you do that? A nice walk can be very calming 🙂
Ane
Music always calms me whenever I’ve had a difficult day as well. 🙂 I love 80s music though, although I too indulge in classical music whenever I’m feeling fan-say. 😛
I love the idea of writing a grateful message, will give that a go sometime. 🙂
The Frugal Samurai
Yeah me too! Love 80s music as well, even though that’s wayyy before my time! Who are your favourites? Haha love the wordplay, good to see hehehe. Thanks for reading!
Brittany Vantrease
Music calms me down so much that when I just want to yell at my kids to just brush their teeth after asking and telling them two for 10 minutes, already, I start to sing it at the top of my lungs. *cue Disney Kill the beast song* “It’s time to brush your teeth right now. IT’S TIME TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH! Brush your teeth! Brush your TEETH”
The Frugal Samurai
Hahahaha, that is a good one – those pesky kids, where will life be without them! But if all you gotta worry about them is when to brush their teeth… well you’re doing something right!
amayszingblogs
Music is my favorite thing actually when I feel stress I have my headset to ignore people HAHAHHA!
The Frugal Samurai
Same, same… sometimes you just want to live in your bubble and not be disturbed right! So true 🙂
Rosey A
OH my gosh, yesterday I came home, fed the kiddo and thought I was resting for a second. I fell asleep instantly. I must have looked like that cat! 🙂
The Frugal Samurai
Hahaha can just imagine! Gosh… kids… they sound… challenging “gulp”.
delhifundos2014
Music and workout is the best way to handle a hard day. Thanks for sharing some amazing tips. I need to try some more ways to handle hard day
The Frugal Samurai
Hope you do and good luck with it!
Bindu Thomas
These tips are really great and I’ll keep this in mind. Music has always helped me to change my mood. Thanks for sharing.
The Frugal Samurai
No problemo, hopefully get you to try a few more of these!
AnythingRad.Com
Yes, I totalyl agrre with the last one. Not all people would think of it as a way to cope with a hard day, but for me it’s really effective! I just like lying down and daydream for some time until I get over the hard day’s work!
The Frugal Samurai
Good for you, if it works – why not! What do you normally day-dream about?
Mommy Sigrid
This had been a tough week for me, too. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. Looking forward to really nice beach holiday next week.
The Frugal Samurai
How’d your holiday go?! Lucky you – hope it was AMAZING.