Turn That Frown Upside Down: 5 Ways to Improve a Bad Working Day

Office Management

 

We’ve all experienced an ‘off’ day at work - but, unfortunately, being in a bad mood doesn’t warrant a day off. From sleeping past your alarm to missing an important deadline, there are any number of factors that can contribute to the downward spiral of the working day - and this is true for employer and employee alike. In an article in 2014, the Huffington Post discussed how bad days at work could be affecting our health - but rather than focusing on the things that might be getting you down, we’re going to look at some solutions that should help you to turn a bad working day around.  

1. Prioritise

If you’re having a bad day, it’s likely your mood will rub off on your staff. You can alleviate this by prioritising your day and setting realistic goals for yourself and your staff. The best way to do this is to work out what needs doing that day and tackle everything in priority order. That way, you won’t be adding to your already stressful day by trying to achieve more than is realistic - and your bad mood won’t have a chance to spread through the rest of the office.  

2. Talk it out

We’ve all heard the expression ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ - and if you’re having an ‘off day’ in the office, it’s likely that your colleagues will notice. Speaking to someone about your day can help in several ways. It may make you realise that things aren’t quite as bad as they seem and, if not, at least you’ve got the support of someone else. Whether it’s speaking to another member of staff or calling a friend on your break, you’ll probably find they’ve been through something similar and you’ll feel better for getting it off your chest. EdenBlog2

3. Make time for a pick-me-up

If your bad day is causing you to lose focus, step away from your desk. A walk to the coffee machine could be just the boost you need to turn your day around, and you can grab a chocolate bar en route! As well as giving you a break from your desk, caffeine is proven to boost energy levels and brain activity, hopefully making the rest of your working day much more manageable.  

4. Have some quiet time

If you find yourself being irritated by everyone and everything, try and distance yourself from the things that are getting to you. If possible, pop in some headphones and listen to some of your favourite songs as you work. This will help keep you focused on the task at hand, as well as giving you a welcome boost during a busy day.  

5. Put things into perspective

If all else fails, just remember that tomorrow really is another day - you just have to make it to the end of this one! If your team are healthy and hydrated, they’re more likely to have a positive, productive day at work. Invest in one of Eden Springs’ coffee machines or water coolers for your office and help minimise bad working days for you and your staff.