Everyone wakes up on the wrong side of the bed sometimes. So, what do you do when that happens?
The temptation to hit snooze, roll over, and catch a few more zzzs is tempting. And it can also be easy to just let it ruin your entire mood.
But what if there’s another option? Instead of letting a bad morning take over your day, there are tons of simple, proactive steps you can take to turn the day around.
Here’s how to do it.
9 Ways to Turn a Bad Morning Around
Get the music pumping
This one’s first because you just have to hit “play” on your favorite playlist. Seriously. You don’t even need to get out of bed before the music starts to work its magic.
Curate your own playlist or try one of Spotify’s options like Productive Morning or Morning Motivation.
- Why it works: Music has a powerful impact on our emotions. There’s a reason it makes us want to dance, cry, or sing at the top of our lungs. The right playlist can change your mood instantly.
Meditate or journal
Bad mornings are sometimes related to ongoing stress, anxiety, or ruminating thoughts about the day ahead. Meditation is well studied with many science-backed benefits. A meditation or mindfulness practice can help you be more aware of how you’re feeling to move forward with the day.
If you’ve had trouble getting into the rhythm of meditation, try journaling instead. Spend a few minutes jotting down what you’re anxious about or worried about as well as expressing gratitude.
- Why it works: Increased self-awareness of your thoughts and feelings will help you process them better and move forward.
Treat yourself to a special breakfast
Your stomach might already be the thing that gets you out of bed most mornings. But instead of a boring grab-and-go meal like an old banana on the counter, take a few extra minutes to make something special.
One idea is to tap into some of your childhood nostalgic meals if you can. Banana pancakes or oatmeal with brown sugar brings up positive memories.
- Why it works: Turning something ordinary, like breakfast, into something special is a great way to turn your mindset around. You’ll nourish your body and have something to smile about as you start the day.
Laugh it out
Laughter is the best medicine. Watch some YouTube clips from your favorite comedian or scroll through some funny TikToks. Whatever brings a smile to your face, go for it.
You can even ask for some lightheartedness from your friends and family. Send out a text: “SOS. Having a rough morning—send puppy pics, funny memes, or dad jokes ASAP.”
- Why it works: The physical act of laughing—especially the full-body, belly laughs.—can work wonders on your mood.
Enjoy the fresh air
If you’re feeling a bit down and glum, crack a window. Or, step outside for a few minutes and get some fresh air. Bonus points if it’s sunny and you can feel it on your face. A few deep breaths of fresh air can help awaken your body and calm your mind.
- Why it works: The physical sensations around fresh air and being outside can shake you out of your mood while helping you wake up.
Move your body
Any kind of exercise or movement will work here. You don’t have to do an intense HIIT workout every morning to be in a good mood… although, that works for some people, too. A short walk, yoga session, or bike ride can also make a big difference.
If you can’t fit in a workout before you start the work day, there are other options to live a fitter lifestyle. Try making an exercise date with a friend, getting out in nature, or incorporating it into your routine with chores and errands.
- Why it works: We all know exercise is good for you, but it’s also good for your mental well-being. Research shows that exercise can help you connect with others, be more sensitive to joy, build trust, and make you braver.
Practice acceptance
This might seem counterintuitive to the rest of the list, but hear us out. These tactics and tips can help turn your day around, but you can’t magically conjure a good mood.
The reasons you’re feeling down might be deeper than just getting up on the wrong side of the bed. If you’re struggling with depression or had some serious life challenges recently, you’ve got every reason to feel down.
So, accept how you’re feeling and acknowledge those emotions. Acceptance is often the first step toward change, so don’t be quick to dismiss how you’re feeling.
- Why it works: There’s a reason why acceptance is a key concept for both 12-step recovery programs and the five stages of grief. We need to make peace with what is before moving on to any growth or change.
Connect with others
It doesn’t even need to be with another person—animals can help reduce stress and increase the ability to cope, leading to the popularity of animal therapy.
But if you don’t have a furry friend, make time to connect with other people in your life. A hug from a loved one, a quick phone call to a friend, or a meaningful conversation with a colleague can all help turn your day around.
This is one reason why working in a supportive professional community is so important, and one of the biggest benefits of joining a coworking space.
- Why it works: Humans need connection, but it’s common to retreat and isolate when in a bad mood or feeling down. So, make a conscious effort to connect with others in some way to help turn the day around.
Re-arrange your schedule
Even if you’ve tried some of these tips and turned the day around, it still might not be your most productive workday. And that’s okay. Every day can’t be perfect.
So, take a look at your schedule and evaluate what’s necessary to complete and what to push to another day. Recognizing what’s urgent vs. important and how to prioritize can transform your stress for this day—and every day.
- Why it works: Making your schedule work for you can help take back some control and ease through the day.
Next time you wake up feeling less-than-amazing, try out one of these tips. They’re simple and small, but taking proactive steps to turn your day around usually pays off.
Did we miss anything? What are your favorite ways to break out of a funk?
Looking for a workspace that will help make every workday a little bit better? Then book a tour of The Post and come see what we have to offer.