The '1-2-3 strategy' that will help you get through tough days

Bad days can be tough on you. Here's how to cope. Photo / 123RF

We all have bad days, sometimes for seemingly no good reason at all.

There are many ways to try to get over a bad day, some more productive than others, some also easier than others.

Emmy-nominated comedy writer Caissie St Onge recently tweeted about a very good and fairly easy strategy to try to get out of a funk: her "1-2-3 survival strategy".

If you're struggling, follow these three steps, she suggests:

1. Do something you have to do;

2. Do something you want to do;

3. Do something for someone else.

Doing my tried & true 1-2-3 survival strategy for tough days. 1. Do something you have to do. 2. Do something you want to do. 3. Do something for somebody else. Done #1 & have 2 & 3 picked out. If you want to, share how YOU’RE keeping YOUR shit together! Maybe it’ll help someone.

— 🗽 Caissie “Pretty Scared, You?” St.Onge (@Caissie) June 26, 2018

This simple three-stage process combines a lot of things that are proven to make individuals feel better.

• Doing something you have to do, even if only one thing, will give you a sense of accomplishment.

• Doing something you want to do will be pleasurable and raise your happiness levels at least temporarily (and sometimes that's all you need).

• Doing something for someone else will give you a sense of purpose.

No matter how bad a day you're having, this strategy means you will be productive, look after yourself and even help someone else.

Her strategy resonated with a lot of people on Twitter, with more than a thousand people liking the tweet.

St Onge shared her own three things from that day: "I had to do an assignment for work. I'm going to have dinner with my family. And I will make calls to my reps & texted with a friend who needed an ear."

Where to get help:

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• Samaritans 0800 726 666
• If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.