These are the days only those closest to you know about, because on those days you don’t leave the house. Its on these days that you eat the worst if you eat much at all, cant consider exercising, and are restricted to seated activities.

How to get the most out of these days:

In truth, it’s probably unlikely you will get much out of a day like this, but in the least it’s possible to ease the burden of a bad day. The key lies in being prepared; and being willing to accept that it isn’t a day for achievements.

Preparing for a bad day:

1.      Have easy to prepare healthy options always available – We all know its important to eat well, yet on the days the most nurturing is needed it’s the most likely we will slip up and eat badly. Keeping food in the house that is easy to make and healthy will make it less likely you will slip up, and will also minimize the energy expended on preparing food.

2.      Have prepared food always available – On the good days, make use of that more useful time and prepare some meals. This can be just cooking extra and freezing the leftovers, or keeping some ready made meals and snacks in containers in the fridge that can just be grabbed and eaten.

3.      Make use of energy dense foods – A trail mix of nuts and dried fruits is easily grabbed out of the pantry, this can be sat next to you and you can just nibble on it throughout the day. Yoghurt and milk is also energy dense and easily prepared.

4.      As much as possible do the jobs that are really going to bother you the most on the days you are well, always being careful not to overdo it.

5.      If you live with others, inform them of what you need on a bad day – this can mean telling them how you may feel emotionally; inform them what you wont be able to do so they know what is expected of them.

6.      Set up the house so its easier to function – this can be as simple as putting a coffee table close to where you sit so your not reaching for things throughout the day. Keep things you will most likely need together and place them where you can reach them throughout the day. Items like a book, hot pack, medications you will need to take throughout the day. Something as simple as keeping tea and coffee next to the kettle with spoons and cups can minimize walking back and forth in the kitchen.

7.      Put the phone where you can reach it early in the day – this applies if you have a cordless or a mobile phone, being prepared can save having to get up to answer it when your lacking in energy.

8.      Next to all those necessities, it’s worth also putting a jug of water and a glass, and a box of snacks.

Most importantly rest on a bad day, its not a good time to engage in any new activities or to push boundaries.