Some days though, it can be hard to muster the enthusiasm, we wake on the wrong side. We just can’t find motivation, were surly and cannot help but get annoyed about every little irritating detail.

As you have probably read and heard before, your mood is completely your decision.

Sometimes though it can be very difficult to turn one of these days around.

Here are 4 tips that always help me get back on my feet:

1. Confront the problem

Ask yourself why you are in a bad mood. Often it can be something nagging at you that you need to get done that ruins your day.The best thing you can do is to confront the problem and do something to solve it. Once that is done you will feel much better.

2. Tell yourself you will be happy

The concept of speaking positively to yourself was first introduced to me by Brian Tracy at one of his seminars.

The idea is that the mind can only hold one type of thought at a time, either positive or negative. It can shift quickly between the two but only hold one at a time. By focusing on positive thoughts you force your brain to be positive over a longer period of time which often gets it to stick.

The 2 phrases “I like myself!” and “I am going to be happy today!” are a great recipe to turning a bad day into good.

Make the decision to be happy and you will be.

3. Exercise

Working out is my favorite way to get out of a really bad rut. By breaking a sweat you release endorphins into your body which calms you down. It is natures natural drug.

It also gives you a chance to take out your anger and put it into some good use.

4. Write an “I am grateful for…” list.

If nothing else works I sit down with a pen and a paper and list everything I am grateful for. It can be anything from family, friends, possessions, job, finances, looks, sports, knowledge or/and abilities.

Anything you can be thankful for.

Once you are done with the list you will see that you have nothing to be down about. Life is pretty good.

Conclusion

Your mood and your life are in your hands. It is always up to you how you feel. Stephen Covey puts it well “There is a gap between stimuli and response where self awareness and the ability to chose reside.”. Whenever something happens it is your decision if you are going to let it get you down or if you are going to turn it into something positive.