Are You Having "One of Those Days"?

Well, the title says it all.

Yesterday was just one of "Those Days". Of course, as "Those Days" always begin, my day started out slightly more intense than normal. Sometimes, slightly more intense is a good thing, and most times, I've managed to keep that edge through the remainder of the day without incident. However, for some reason, yesterday's edge continued to spiral out of control, until it was, without a doubt, one of "Those Days".

I'm sure everyone reading this has experienced this phenomenon a time or two during the course of their lives, and I'm equally sure that everyone has felt exactly the same feelings and emotions throughout the course of that day - whether they care to admit to it or not!

Not that I would recommend that everyone join this not-so-exclusive club. Believe me, if there was any way I could have avoided having one of "Those Days" I would have gladly skipped the emotionally draining experience that yesterday was!

But...as luck would have it...yesterday was unavoidable.

Anyone with children can relate to hectic, rushed morning routines - feeding your toddler or the litany of "shower, brush your teeth, eat your breakfast, get dressed, where is your backpack, have you got your planner, is your homework in your bag, have you got your lunch", for school aged kids. The list seems endless - not to mention trying to get yourself ready for work at the same time!

It really doesn't matter that you get up early to accomplish everything on time - sometimes things just don't gel, and when that happens you end up having one of "Those Days".

This, my friends, was what happened to me. I thought I had everything under control and was on my way to work, (this time, an hour's drive away,) when I realized I had left my address sitting beside my computer! I was too flustered to remember that there was a traffic plan - complete with address, sitting in the work truck. (I don't always take the work truck, so I rely on having my addresses with me so I can find the work sites.)

That oversight cost me ten minutes of driving time, which put me right in the middle of the late-for-school traffic, which in turn put me in the middle of the early-bird-to-the-mall and let's-visit-Great-Uncle-Fred-in-the-hospital traffic and caused me to be a half an hour late arriving at the job site. Not a good way to start my day.

I won't bore you with the details, suffice it to say that I was a soggy, squishy, very unhappy person, and my day was far from over. By the end of my shift, I was elated to put it all behind me and head for home. At the time however, I did not know that home was not exactly the safe haven I was expecting...

So what exactly do you do when you have had, or are still experiencing one of "Those Days"?

Women's List

Since women are more complicated than their male counterparts, the list is a little more extensive. (I welcome your comments and additions!) I have listed my top 10 favorites, in no particular order, and I should also point out that most of these suggestions can be, and are, used in conjunction with one another.

#1 Soothing Music

This is an all time favorite for a lot of ladies out there. Find your favorite radio station or CD, plug in the headphones, put your feet up and smooth the frustrations away with soothing music. (Preferably after locking the kids in their rooms...)

#2 Glass of Wine

Have an adult time out - kick back in your comfy chair with a glass of your favorite wine, or in my case, a glass of Amarula and milk...very tasty I might add...and is a wonderful accompaniment to #1

#3 Warm Bubble Bath

Here is a wonderful way to wash the cares of the day down the drain. This solution can be used along with the soothing music and glass of wine...which, I'm sure, many ladies combine naturally. There is something about warm, soapy water, alcohol and music that speak to the very core of a woman. (Not to say that men don't enjoy this also, however, they enjoy it more as a visual than as a participant!)

#4 Chocolate

An all time favorite of mine, chocolate soothes the jangled nerves and makes everything right with the world!

#5 Good Book

Immerse yourself in your favorite book for an hour or so. I'm told escapism is a great way to forget about your problems for a while!

#6 Lunch or Dinner With a Girlfriend

Always a good choice, having a get-together with your girlfriend over good food is a wonderful way to unwind and get rid of "Those Days" blues. This is usually a precursor to numbers 7, 8, and 9.

#7 Get Your Hair/Nails Done

Treating yourself to a new hair-do or a trip to the nail salon can be a calming and sometimes, much needed boost to your self esteem. Depending on the level of your "Those Days" experience, sometimes it's best to go with a friend.

#8 Watch a Movie

Sometimes you just need a good cry - and what better way to do that than to watch a movie! Again, this is something that can be done on your own, or with one or two friends.

#9 Trip to the Mall

This activity is generally done in pairs, however, I have witnessed lone females browsing among the aisles. This activity is always helpful in banishing "Those Days" events, and rarely fails to improve your mood.

#10 Write

For those of us who have that unusual bent to 'share' events with the world, writing can be a most soothing past-time and in many cases very cathartic! (As witnessed by many HubPages authors!)

Men's List

This article would not be complete without a list for the men. However, men are a lot less complicated than women, so their list is much shorter but equally as effective! I should also mention that the majority of items on the men's list can also be done in conjunction with each other. (Again, I welcome your comments and additions!)

#1 Beer

Most men would agree that if you have beer, you really don't need anything else. Except perhaps some snacks. For those men who, heaven forbid, don't care for beer, (are there any?) a concoction of their favorite beverage will do the trick. This is a powerful anesthetic and should in most cases, be used sparingly!

#2 Sports

Some fellas prefer participating in some sort of sporting activity to get rid of their frustrations. Others prefer watching them. Need I say more? Oh, yes, for the armchair athletes you need beer.

#3 Tinkering

I have included this solution for the guys who like to get down and dirty! Sometimes you need to focus your attention on your favorite project, like the hot rod in your garage. Tinkering with tools of any kind can sometimes alleviate the "Those Days" frustrations.

#4 Your Buddies

What better way to let off some steam than to hit the pub with your buds. Again, I will mention that probably beer will be included in this solution as well...

#5 Good Book

I have included this one for those men who just want some quiet time alone. There are men out there who enjoy a good read - whether it be Penthouse or Stephen King.

#6 Watch a Movie

What guy doesn't like to watch something blow up? (I know I do...) Sometimes a great action flick is just what the doctor ordered - usually goes with beer...

#7 Write

This is for the man who enjoys sharing his escapades and experiences with the rest of the world. What better way to relieve the "Those Days" frustrations than to put them to paper (or computer...) for the rest of us to read and commiserate with!

I'm sure that I have probably left a lot of really good solutions off my lists, however, it was not from lack of trying. I have only covered the obvious ones here, and I'll bet that my list will continue to grow as more people read and add their favorites to the ones mentioned here...after all...we all need a good pick-me-up after one of "Those Days"!