No one wants to have a bad day at work but when it happens, it is important to learn how to stay calm through it all. Halfway through work, you sometimes may have had the course to text your friend “I’m having a bad day” or better still never tell anyone about it. However, it is important to know that bad days don’t just happen, they are always triggered by a number of circumstances and the only way not to let it get to you entirely is to take control of your emotions.
What causes a bad day at work?
The situation is different for everyone and whatever causes a bad day at work for Worker A may not even make Worker B flinch. However, here are the common causes of a bad day at work:
- Conflict with teammates, colleagues, or the management.
- Ill health
- Poor work-life balance
- Boredom
- Underappreciation/Lack of recognition
- Excessive workload
- Personal issues/distractions spilling into work
- Technical issues
- Long hours/overtime
- Unexpected/life-threatening circumstances (theft/robbery, especially if you work in a bank)
- Micromanagement
- Poor benefits/remuneration
Handling a bad day at work
While handling a bad day at work can be subjective, we like to think that there are a couple of strategies that can work for almost anyone having a bad day. See these tips:
Call a friend to tell them about it
A problem shared may not exactly be solved but it takes a chunk of anxiety and tiredness off your chest. Your friends know you and can come up with ways to make you feel lighter and merrier. So, if need be, take a break and talk to your friend or even family member about how you feel. Chances are you will feel better after talking to them.
Leverage Social Media
If you are having a bad day at work, take your break time to seek temporary distraction from anything that may be bothering you. You can stop by interesting reels on Instagram, watch YouTube videos, or catch up with a thread you’ve bookmarked on Twitter. However, you may also need to limit your usage to not get entirely absorbed in it. Remember, you are only distracting yourself from the bad times.
Try a snack
Gen Zs on social media have concluded that “Regardless of whatever you may be going through, eat something.” So, opt for a snack (which could be your favorite one) that can provide energy and nutrients. Also, be careful not to overeat to avoid sluggishness or low morale. Remember to take enough water with your snacks. This idea can only lift your mood temporarily but it is better than not having any solutions.
Ask for help with work
Bad days can get so much to you that it affects the quality of your work. So, it may be necessary to ask for help or take steps to manage your workload. If you can hardly concentrate, discuss your concerns with your team lead or supervisor so that they can reassign tasks, or ask your co-workers to assist you with the work.
Usually, there isn’t so much to erase a bad day, it is easier to handle if the cause is minute. But, if it is the other way around, you may have to be intentional not to allow your emotions to get in the way.
