10 Things To Do If You’ve Had A Really Shitty Day

Katherine Ripley • November 17, 2015

We all have shitty days sometimes. But the good thing about living in the city is you have a never-ending assortment of activities to brighten your mood. Try doing one of these:

1. Eat at your favorite restaurant

Or get a doughnut from your favorite doughnut shop or a piece of cheesecake from your favorite bakery. Even if you’re downtown and you have to go all the way uptown to get it, it’s worth it. Good food always makes you feel better.

2. Exercise

There is no shortage of running paths of the city. Go burn off some of that negative energy.

3. Take a walk in the park

If you’re not one for intense physical activity, just take a walk. NYC has plenty of parks, so wherever you live you’re probably not far from one.

4. Go to happy hour

Maybe you’re an extrovert who gets over your bad days by getting a few drinks and socializing. Turn your mood around by hitting up your favorite local bar after work.

5. Treat yourself to your favorite drink

You can do this while you’re at happy hour, or you can just go home, put your feet up and sip from a glass of your favorite wine, beer or cocktail.

6. Go out dancing

Less intense than running, more intense than walking, and with all the joys of socializing with your friends. Or not. Maybe you’d rather just go out dancing by yourself. Whatever works (weirdo).

7. Have a good laugh

Call your mom/dad/BFF/Aunt Mary—whoever makes you laugh until you bust a gut.

8. Listen to your favorite music

And don’t be embarrassed about it. If Katy Perry puts a smile on your face, put on “Firework” at full volume and dance around your living room. If your roommates are cool, they’ll join you.

9. Read a good book

If you’re a bookworm, reading will get you into another world that makes you forget about your shitty day. Even if you’ve read every Harry Potter book three times already, there’s no shame in picking one up again if you know it will put a smile on your face.

10. Express your creativity

Whether it’s writing, painting, mixing, coding, cooking or making giant sculptures out of butter in your kitchen, creative expression of any kind will help you let go of all the negative energy from your bad day.

Cover photo credit: Several seconds/Flickr

Tags: Adventure, Art, Drinks, Party