The washing machine might break down and you’ll hold it together. The bank might send an unexpected bill and you’ll hold it together. But then all it takes is for that avocado to go off when you’re not looking, and everything falls apart.

Stressful days are a fact of life. Fortunately, whether you’re a regular customer or thankfully less common, there are plenty of ways to minimise the fallout. Try these 10 ideas for giving yourself time out when you need it.

1. Do some cooking/baking

There’s something extremely therapeutic about pulling together a range of ingredients and making something from scratch. Watching a meal or treat come together is rewarding, and you get that awesome sense of accomplishment at the end (as well as something delicious to eat!).

2. Exercise

Walk, bike, run, do some yoga, go rock climbing, or practise your unicycle skills. It doesn’t matter what it is; exercise simply feels great and is a powerful bad-day killer. Try teaming up with a friend so you don’t have an excuse not to go. 

3. Watch your favourite movie

Look, no one is going to judge that your favourite movie is Frozen and all you want to do is scoff a bag of popcorn and sing along to all the ballads. If it cheers you up, makes you laugh, and gives you a couple of hours of peace where you don’t have to think too much – do it.

4. Phone a friend

Our friends are the family we choose, and they will always be there for us in those moments when it feels like the sky is falling. A 10-minute chat can be all it takes to make the sun shine again, and don’t forget to make plans for a real catch-up as soon as you have the chance.

5. Plan an adventure

Often, stress and bad days hit when you’re too busy to do anything but put one foot in front of the other. If that’s the case, make a plan to do something fun once you’ve made it through your busy period. It could be a weekend getaway, a dinner and movie with a friend you haven’t seen in a while, or a day at the spa all to yourself. Giving yourself something to look forward to can really help cheer you up and make it a little easier to work through the tough times today.

6. Get outside

The greenery, the fresh air, the wildlife and the scenery of the great outdoors can all help you to take a deep breath in and keep you feeling calm. Even in the heart of a concrete jungle, botanic gardens and parks are never far away, so treat yourself to some time simply wandering in nature or lying down on the grass for a well-earned break from it all.

7. Get creative

It really doesn’t matter whether you can actually paint or draw; the simple act of doing it can be a huge stress reliever. You can pick up acrylic paints and canvases for cheap in most stationery supply stores, and a good 2B pencil and blank paper hardly costs a thing. Either freehand doodle or find a design or image online to copy, then sit down with a cup of tea and see where your creativity takes you.

8. Have a nap

Who doesn’t love a nap? And how many times can you put down your stress to not getting enough sleep? Put your phone on silent, pull the curtains, get comfortable, and indulge in some much-needed rest – even if it’s just for half an hour.

9. Get some pet time

It’s science: animals are rays of happiness and sunshine that can improve any day. If you don’t have one, ask a friend if you can take their dog for a walk or visit to give their cat a few cuddles. Or, arrange to volunteer at a local animal shelter and hang out with a bunch of furry friends all at once.

10. Blast your favourite music

Create a killer playlist of your favourite tracks (Spice Girls, we’re looking at you), turn the volume up loud and hit play. Music offers a strange kind of magic that can reflect just how you’re feeling, then pick you up and leave you blissed out and happier after just a few songs.

While self-care is always important, it’s not the answer to every problem. If stress is getting the better of you, consider setting up an appointment with a psychologist.