Sometimes life decides to punch you in the face: You fail a project, you don’t get the promotion, you fight with someone you care about. It happens. Here are some tried and true ways to cheer yourself up during a rough patch in the road.
1. Have a Spa Night
Treat yourself to a warm bath, a face mask and a coat of nail polish. This relaxing treatment is perfect for washing away the blues and taking care of your skin!
“I usually take a bubble bath,” said Olivia Carroll, a student at SUNY Plattsburgh. While it may be nearly impossible to take a bubble bath if you live on a college campus, there are other ways to treat yourself and your skin.
Face masks can be found at any drug store for a decent price. If your really looking to treat yourself, may I suggest any of the The Dr. Jart+ “Shake & Shot” mask collection. They’re 12 dollars a pop, but worth it in the long run. Light some candles, play some music you find soothing and relax on.
2. Read a Book
Books are a portal to another world. They can take you to wherever you’d like to go. There is a book for every person’s interests. Want to be at the creation of the FBI Behavioral Science Unit in the 1970s? Try “Mind Hunter” by John Douglass and Mark Olshaker. Science-fiction fan? Read any of the Star Wars book series. The list of genres is endless.
3. Watch a Stand-Up Comedy Special
Sometimes all you need is a good, hearty laugh.
“Laughter is the best medicine. Stand-up never fails to make me feel better,” said Katie Tiska, a student at the Douglass Education Center. The occasionally raunchy special on Netflix never falls flat on melting away misery.
Tears in the eyes, a hand on your chest and hunched over with laughter is the cure all for bad moods. You have to find a comedian that fits your taste. If you’re in to relatable humor about random things, try any John Mulaney special. A fan of deadpan, inappropriate jokes about family, travel and college life? Tom Segura is the right fit. Much like books, there is a comedian and comedy type for every person.
4. Spend Time with Friends or Family
It can be difficult to get out of bed on particularly rough days, but it’s important to remember how much better you’ll feel by just being around loved ones. Even if you just sit on your phones or watch a movie, it doesn’t matter as long as you’re together. My friends and I play UNO, watch drama videos on youtube and do classwork together. We enjoy each other’s company. Phones have made staying in contact with friends easier than ever. Knowing family and friends from home are just a phone call away is always reassuring
5. Bake Something
Grab your oven mitts, it’s time to bake! Find a recipe you haven’t tried yet or if you don’t feel like searching through Pinterest or Grandma’s cook books for hours, bake your favorite dish.
Take your time crafting the dish with love and precision. Don’t be like me and add two tablespoons of baking soda instead of two teaspoons to cookies. They will taste like soap. Pulling something out of the oven, no matter how it looks, brings a great feeling of accomplishment. Take a picture of your delicious achievement and post it to Twitter for others to see and revel in your greatness.
APN 