How to Deal With an Off Day

We’ve all had them:  those "off" days where you just don’t feel like your usual self.  You're not sick, you don’t necessarily feel bad, and there really isn’t anything wrong – at least nothing that you can immediately identify.  It might even be hard to pinpoint exactly how you're feeling.  But you can definitely tell that something feels a little different, and not in a good way. 

When you find yourself having an off day, the last thing you want to do is overreact, as that just lays the groundwork for things to get worse.  Instead, use the following tips to help you manage your feelings, so you can get back to your usual self as quickly as possible.

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Don’t stress out over your day.

Yes, you’re having an off day.  You don’t feel like you’re on top of your game.  Maybe your energy is running a little low.  Or, perhaps you feel a little down, maybe slightly more low-keyed than usual.  It’s simply how you’re feeling on this particular day.  It’s not the end of the world, and it’s not a cause for panic. 
 
Especially when you're pursuing a healthy lifestyle, it’s easy to become overly concerned about an off day.  You can start to put enormous pressure on yourself in an attempt to meet some arbitrary ideal that you have in your mind.  The thing is, if the ideal you're aiming for is based on something out of a magazine or off of social media, it isn't real, it's an image.  Real life, on the other hand, isn't always a picture-perfect image; it comes with ups and downs.  That's completely normal and totally okay.
 

Be kind and respectful to yourself. 

Listen to your body and honour your feelings.  Show yourself the same kindness, consideration, and respect that you would show to anyone else.  What does that mean in practical terms?  Don’t berate yourself or get down on yourself for failing to meet some impossible standard of perfection.  One off day does not mean that you're an inadequate person.  Relax and take it easy.  Grab a moment for yourself, if possible.  Turn in to bed a little earlier, if you can. 
 

Talk to someone.

It's amazing how talking to someone else can totally turn things around.  The other person can remind us of how much we have going for us.  They can help us to see things from a different perspective.  As we articulate our thoughts and feelings, we can often begin to see the humour in a situation, going from frustration to laughter in a matter of minutes.  And sometimes, the simple act of someone listening to us, as we share what's going on, can do wonders to lift our spirits, allowing us to come away refreshed and feeling much better.
 

Keep an eye on the big picture.

One off day usually isn’t a cause for concern.  Remember that an off day reflects a point in time, and it will pass.  However, keep an eye on the big picture.  Have you been having more off days lately?  Are you struggling to cope with everything you have going on in your life?  Are you dealing with issues that you don't know how to resolve?  Recognize when an off day is indeed more than just a one-off event, but rather a symptom of something bigger, and be willing to reach out for help when you need it.