What to Do After You’ve Had a Bad Day (That Doesn’t Involve Rotting in Bed)

You know those days where everything just…sucks. Your coffee order was wrong, your bus was late, the outfit you planned for days doesn’t fit right. The default reaction, and the one I know I am prone to, is just getting into bed, turning off the lights and beginning the endless doom scroll. It feels comforting to know that whatever happens that day, you can always just get into bed and scroll. But whilst it feels like it's relaxing you, it’s actually just making you feel worse. Believe it or not, there are better ways to reset, even if you don’t have any energy left. 

The problem with bed rotting is that your brain just keeps replaying the day, and you can’t actually move on. Endless vlogs, GRWMs and hauls aren’t helping matters, either. They just push back the moment until you have to actually confront the awkwardness of your day, so you keep scrolling. Before you know it, you’ve woken up, phone uncharged and eyes blurry - a sure start to another bad day. You don’t need a full reset, however. Just a small shift. 

What you can do is change your state with easy, low-effort actions. Shower, change clothes, step outside, anything that helps you shrug off the day. It doesn’t have to be dramatic, just enough to feel like you’ve interrupted the day. Physical changes help you mentally detach and distance yourself from your day; you’re basically telling your brain that the day is over and that it can move on. 

What you can also do is do one small thing for yourself. I’m not talking about a whole reset, just something easy that gives you an easy win. Make a cup of tea, clean a surface, tidy your desk, and reply to one message. These small wins matter more than big plans or seismic changes. They give you that sense of control that makes you feel in charge again. 

In short, keep it simple; you don't need to “fix” the day. Small resets are enough; anything that helps you regain control over your day. And, sometimes, the best thing you can do is just not let a bad day turn into a bad week. 

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and reflective purposes only and should not be considered medical or mental health advice.

Written by: Arianna Enserro