Everyone has a fair share of good and bad days. Although it can be hard to believe that when all we see on social media is pictures of others having a good life, which is usually far from the truth. Even the most jovial of all people have their down times. Having a bad day happens to the happiest of us.

When you’re sad or lonely, there is an inclination to stay locked up indoors, listen to sad music or cry in bed. But as much as you may feel pushed to do all of these things, that will do no good.

The worst thing anyone could ever do when they’re sad is to remain sad. Yes, whatever may be the cause of your sadness, it is never a good excuse to stay that way. We all have bad days. Let’s face it: there’ll always be someone or something that will piss you off. I face bad days every now and then. But over time I developed some key strategies that have helped me get over my bad days and turn them into awesome ones.

Here are 6 things that you can do right away to get started.

Dance like no one is watching.

Music has an amazing effect on our emotions and the emotions heightens when we dance. Play some groovy music and flow with the rhythm. Just dance like no one is watching. I guarantee you would start to feel better within minutes of dancing. I do this all the time and it works. Pharrell Williams Happy song is one of my favourite songs to dance to whenever I feel low.

Having a bad day? Just smile.

This simple hack works any time any day. When the day looks grim, a smile can be a huge game changer. Smiling lightens up your mood even when you don’t feel like smiling. It’s so powerful that your day starts transforming into something positive. And guess what? A smile is contagious, so help spread the happiness around, by smiling more. I am learning to smile more and it is doing a lot of good for my mental health.

Talk to a trusted friend.

Sometimes all you need on a bad day is just to let out your feelings to someone you trust. A problem shared is a problem solved. Don’t be shy to pour your heart out to a good friend. Speaking about issues does help. I have a few trusted people on speed dial, I can trust with anything. And if you don’t have anyone you trust with your issues, you could write them down. You could write them down in a diary to get the weight off your chest. You could also blog about it, and get comments from complete strangers that would give you some peace or advise.

Engage in an activity you enjoy.

When you’re having a bad day, the easiest way to turn it around is by doing something that you enjoy. If you love going hiking, then go for it. If you love reading, pick up your favourite classic and flip through the pages. If you love playing the piano, then get your hands on your favourite piece. Engaging in an activity its you enjoy will definitely help you deal with a bad day.

Keep a gratitude journal.

No matter how bad your day is, you need to always count your blessings. Have a journal and write a list of all the things you are grateful for. It may be difficult in the beginning but as you keep at it, you’ll see that there are so many things out there to remain grateful for. It could be the little things, like a roof over your head, food on your plate, freedom, anything. I have a gratitude journal and I love writing in it. It reminds me to stay humble.

Make someone’s day brighter.

When your day is bad, challenge yourself to put a smile on someone’s face. Reach out to someone in need. Call a friend you’ve not been in touch with for years. Volunteer at a charity. As you try to make a positive impact on others, you’ll see your day transform for the better.

How do you deal with bad days?