5 Ways To Practice Self-Love When You’ve Had A Bad Day

We all have bad days. Work has been overwhelming, you’ve argued with a loved one, the kids won’t stop screaming, you haven’t been as productive as you would’ve liked - sound familiar? Mistakes, difficult challenges and tough days can leave you feeling undeserving of self-love, which is why it’s even more important to practice it intentionally. Often, when we feel like we don’t deserve self-love is when we truly need it the most.

Here are 5 ways you can practice self-love even on days when you really don’t feel like it.

• Congratulate Yourself

Even when the day has been tough and it all seems as though it’s gone wrong, find something to congratulate yourself for. Maybe you ticked a few things off your to-do list, perhaps you smiled at someone passing by, or maybe you hit your 10,000 steps goal. Sometimes, it’s enough to congratulate yourself just for getting through a tough day.

It may feel out of place to congratulate yourself for small reasons, but it reaffirms the fact that you are deserve it and that you are doing ok - even when you’ve faced challenges, or made mistakes. You are so worthy of congratulations - on the good and the bad days.

• Acknowledge Your Feelings

After a difficult day, the last thing you probably feel like doing is reflecting on it and those negative feelings all over again. But bottling your emotions up can trigger unhealthy coping mechanisms and cause more stress, so it’s time to acknowledge those feelings so you can move forward. 

Go somewhere you feel safe where you can think and reflect, talk to someone you trust or write your thoughts and feelings down in a journal. Not sure where to start? Try the journal prompts in the Flourish & Fulfilled App. 

Once you’ve acknowledged how you truly feel and what is making you feel the emotions, congratulate yourself and embrace some of your favourite self-care routines - listen to your favourite music, read a book, take a long bath, or have an early night to catch up on those zzz’s.

• Connect To Your Breath 

Practicing breathwork is a great way to bring calm to your inner self  - especially if you’ve been feeling tense, agitated, or overwhelmed lately. Our breath is an indicator of anxiety, mood and overall state of being. When we know how to work with our breath, we can change so much - our mood, panic attacks, insomnia, and even blood pressure. In this episode of my Flourish & Fulfilled podcast, I speak with my friend and breathwork coach Nicola Laye on what breathwork is, how it can reduce stress and release trauma, and how to start using the breath. Listen here > 

There are a variety of breathwork practices available depending on your mood or day. Get started with some guided breathing cycles in the new Flourish  & Fulfilled App. 

• Get Outside

Put down your phone and enjoy the great outdoors. We all need a break from technology now and again, even a small one can help your mind and body to relax and recharge. Ditching the comfort of your home for some one-on-one with nature is a great way to implement self-care and improve your mental and physical health. Similar to meditation, spending time out of doors benefits the brain.

Enjoy a walk in nature, take your home workout outside in the garden, or go grab an ice cream with a friend. 

RELATED ARTICLE: Digital Detox: How To Unplug When You Need A Break

• Practice Gratitude 

Gratitude is so powerful and it’s something I put into practice everyday using my Flourish & Fulfilled Gratitude Planner. Just because you had a bad day does not mean every part of the day was bad. Practicing gratitude reminds you of the beauty in the little things in life that you currently have. It helps you look at situations in a more positive light, build stronger relationships with people you love, and helps improve your mental and physical well-being. Take a moment first thing in the morning, and/or each night, to think about how grateful you are for your life, your people, and the person that you are. It’s a beautiful way to start and end your day.⠀Try these gratitude journal prompts to get you started. 

RELATED ARTICLE: 5 Benefits Of Gratitude

What’s your favourite way to practice self-love when you’re having a bad day? Leave a comment below or tag us on Instagram @flourishandfulfilled