How To Survive The Worst Day Of Your Life: Part 1

Let's be honest, bad days suck. Yet, we are all plagued by the presence of the things and feelings we hate most; those little insecurities that just seem to get to us. I know some of you "don't have bad days." I love you people. (Not sarcastic, I really do). I admire your "glass is always half-full attitude" and the way that your bad days aren't technically 'bad' but rather, just "not as great as the rest." For me personally, if I'm gonna have a bad day, all hell is going to break loose.

So... I have decided to make a list of things to do that may help turn a crappy day into a spectacular day. This will be the first of a series, because they will be longer than my other posts. I will share some facts to back each suggestion up, as well as a few personal experiences that will serve as a testimony to the matter. Although this is partially for my personal benefit, maybe at least one of you will find a way to turn that frown upside down, and my goal will have been accomplished!

1. EXERCISE

A famous blond once legally said, "Exercising creates endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don't shoot their husbands. They just don't!"

While I am not implying that you may be planning to shoot a husband, I want to focus on that "endorphins make you happy" part. I know I know- when one is having a bad day, the last thing on one's mind is to get up and run 20 miles. Bad days should be spent sitting on your lazy bottom, stuffing your face with food, and watching terribly depressing TV shows that you can somehow relate to your "pathetic life." Well, mope around no more my friends! It's time to get up and work out!

Personal Experience #1.

Have any of you taken anatomy? I have never cursed more in my life than when I was in that class. I have never worked harder for a grade... EVER! So I spent a whole semester basically friendless, dateless, fun-less, etc. just to pass this beast of a class. My professor waited until the last possible second to post our grades and I ended up waking up one morning on the beautiful beach of Hawaii to find that my grade was just unacceptable. I allowed myself a contribution of $5 to the swear jar (accidentally turned into $8). I put on my angriest music (to be addressed later) and went for a run. A long long long run. I pictured my professor's head under every footstep. About a half-hour into the run, I was smiling. He probably woke up feeling like he was hit by a bus... and for that I am not sorry! Although I'm still just a tiny bit bitter about that grade, (no, I will not mention what it was) I can honestly say that my little run completely changed my attitude. Yay, endorphins!

2. MUSIC

I create playlists according to the mood I'm in or even the mood I'd like to be in. I guess it just depends on where I'm at mentally and where I'd like to be when I'm finished listening to a song. I have playlists galore that go from chill/hang out music all the way to angry music. I love "mood-changing" playlists. For example, when I'm sad and want to be happy, or when I'm angry and would rather be feeling good about life. There are mixes that help me feel sad if I want to be sad for a moment, or help me get all my anger out. Chances are, if I'm mad at you, I'm screaming my head off to a wonderfully wholesome song entitled "I Hate Everything About You." That's always been a favorite mood song.

All joking aside for a moment, we must understand that music is truly a powerful tool. Of music, Boyd K. Packer said, "You can replace thoughts of temptation, anger, disappointment, or fear with better thoughts-with music."

On a bad day, you must choose your music wisely. It can help to strength, uplift, and edify, or it can tear you down. I like that my music is already in the right category for me. That way when a bad day comes along, I am already prepared. Just a suggestion.

3. PUNCH SOMETHING.... or SOMEONE!

Chuck Klosterman once said, "If someone breaks your heart, just punch them in the face. Oh sure, it seems obvious now, but you'd be amazed at how many people don't think of it when it's relevant. Seriously, just punch them in the face and go get some ice cream."

Ok- not all bad days have to do with getting your heart broken, but just go with me on this.

In all honesty, I must admit that I have next to no experience throwing a punch. I can think of two times when I have been really really close. Hahahaha. Although, I feel like a tough guy on the few times I've "almost" punched someone, I'm sure it would've felt really good to actually go through with it!

Punching just seems to be a thing to get it out of your system. Just don't punch a brick wall, that's just plain stupid.