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Having one of those days when it seems like everything that could go wrong, did? You needn’t give in to grouchiness or despair. Try these suggestions from our behavioral health experts instead:

1. Be mindful of your feelings

What’s beneath your stress and frustration: anger, sadness, resentment?

“Research shows that knowing — and naming — your feelings is incredibly helpful and soothing,” says psychologist Susan Albers-Bowling, PsyD.

Once you’ve identified your feelings, write them down in a journal. Or talk them out with a good friend.

“I recommend the 3M approach: being mindful of feelings, moving, and doing a mindset makeover,” says Dr. Albers.

2. Get up and move

In order to shake off a bad day, you need to be active.  “Sitting still gives your feelings time to fester,” says Dr. Albers.

Sleep psychologist Michelle Drerup, PsyD, says ample research shows that exercise and activity produce endorphins and serotonin.

“Engaging in just 20 minutes of physical activity will increase these natural mood-lifters and give a noticeable lift to your day,” she says.

You don’t have to spend hours in the gym to enjoy the benefits of exercise. Do any activity you enjoy.

“Play fetch with your dog, walk outside with a friend at lunch, take a bike ride through the park,” she suggests.

3. Do something you love

Distraction can be a blessing. “Watch a favorite movie, work on a craft project, itemize your collection,” says psychologist John Vitkus, PhD. “If your passion involves physical exertion (hiking, running, kayaking, etc.), all the better.”

Avoid judging yourself or having strict standards. “Enjoy the experience — try to lose yourself in it,” he advises.

If you can’t completely set the anger, depression or anxiety aside, don’t worry. Taking positive action even when your heart isn’t in it will benefit you.

“We are highly motivated to make our inner and outer worlds agree,” explains Dr. Vitkus. “Doing what we love reduces this ‘cognitive dissonance’ and helps to lift our mood.”

4. Do a mindset makeover

Take a deep breath and reassure yourself that having a bad day is part of living on the planet.

“Consider the big picture. Will you feel this way for five minutes, five hours, five months or five years?” says Dr. Albers. “Say, ‘this too shall pass.’ Hang in there.”

Listening to uplifting music can help you set the tone, adds Dr. Vitkus.

You won’t feel better instantly. Give yourself some time to respond to your feelings in a productive way, Dr. Albers advises.

That’s especially good advice at the end of a bad day, notes substance abuse counselor Denise Graham.

“I always asked my kids for 15 minutes to ‘decompress’ after work,” she says. “Then, if I came home in a bad mood, I came out of my room as mom, not as an irritable worker bee.”

5. Connect with others

OK, your day hasn’t been a raging success so far. But it’s not over yet.

“It helps to close a bad day by getting out of yourself and helping someone else,” says Ms. Graham.

Volunteer, or offer someone a kind gesture. Help a family member with a task, or play with a pet.

“When you’re feeling kind, loving and grateful, it’s difficult to hold onto sadness, anger and resentment,” she points out.

Dr. Drerup has a dance party to connect with her kids and let off steam after a challenging day. “We choose their favorite songs, blare the music, belt out the words and dance around the house,” she says.

6. Rest up

The best thing to do at the very end of a difficult day? Get to bed at a decent hour and turn off/limit your use of cell phones, computers and tablets for the last hour before bedtime.   

“Getting seven to eight hours of good quality sleep is one of the best ways to recover from a bad day,” says Dr. Drerup.

A good night’s sleep will help put it all in perspective. And you can start fresh the next day.

SOURCE: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/6-ways-to-turn-around-your-no-good-very-bad-day/


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Practice Policy Update Regarding COVID-19

Dear Patients:

Our patients, employees and family are our top priority at Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.

We ask you to not visit any of our locations if you have symptoms such as fever, sneezing, coughing and possible shortness of breath.

Please cancel your appointment and re-schedule once you are feeling better and are no longer suffering with symptoms.

Only non-symptomatic patients will be seen. No exceptions.

Accompanying family members – including children – are asked to remain in the waiting area and will not be allowed to enter the exam rooms.

During this time of high concern regarding the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) we are taking extra precautions to maintain the highest possible standards of safety and cleanliness. Please be advised that we are carefully following recommendations from both the CDC and WHO and are here to help guide you through this time if needed.

Some steps we are taking to keeping safe:

  1. We know how important cleanliness is and always maintain the highest standards of cleanliness. To further offer you peace of mind, we have increased the frequency of the cleaning of our office.
  2. Rest assured that hand washing is strictly followed. Hand sanitizer is available to all staff and patients.
  3. Additionally, if you have recently traveled to a country with high rates of the coronavirus or have been on a cruise, please reschedule your visit for at least 14 days from your return date. We will gladly accommodate your needs to reschedule. At that time, a telehealth interface can be arranged if necessary.

Find up-to-date and accurate information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website and feel free to reach out with questions.

- Your team at Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.

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To learn more about Long Island Spine Specialists – and to discover how we can relieve your pain and help you find an improved quality of life – please contact our office today and schedule a consultation.

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