How Can You Get Past a Bad Day?

Everybody has a bad day, even the best caregiver. But if you’re torturing yourself about a mistake or about something that didn’t go quite right, that’s not going to help.

Get Outside, if You Can

Stepping outside, whether it’s a sunny day or a rainy day under the protection of a porch roof, changes your perspective a little bit. You can see and hear birds and other animals while you enjoy trees, grass, and other pieces of the wild that lives even in the tamest of neighborhoods. This also gives you a chance to just take a deep breath for a minute.

Reflect on What Was Difficult

What made today so bad? Some days that might be more obvious than on other days. For instance, if your senior got some bad news or you didn’t get enough sleep, that’s all going to contribute to a bad day. But sometimes it’s not so obvious at all. You’re grumpy, but you don’t know why. Or your senior just isn’t happy with anything that’s going on. All of these contribute to a bad day, but they’re not the cause. Try to dig down to what caused the majority of what you experienced.

What Can You Do Right Now?

Is there anything you can do right this moment? Sometimes it’s easy to know what you need, whether that’s a couple pieces of chocolate or a few minutes alone to read and block out the world. Whatever you think might help you right now, try it. It’s especially helpful if whatever you’re trying is something that contributes to your self-care in some positive way.

Look into Setting up a Longer Break

As soon as you get a chance, look into setting up a longer break for yourself. You might not realize that you’ve been going full speed ahead as a caregiver and you’ve been neglecting yourself as a person. That takes a toll on you and can have an impact on your bad days. Take some time now and block out an afternoon or longer away.

Talk to Someone You Trust

If you’re still feeling frustrated or upset, you might need to connect with someone you trust. Reach out to a friend or a family member you can talk to. Ask them how they’re doing and get caught up on what’s going on. It’s amazing how often connecting with someone else can bring you out of a funk.

Pay attention to the bad days when you’re a caregiver. They can usually help you to figure out how to have them less often.