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Step 1
Try "rebooting." If possible, walk away from your desk, workstation, or whatever you were working on. Take a short walk, shut yourself in the bathroom, or just sit outside for a few minutes. Take some deep breaths and determine not to let whatever has happened so far make the rest of your day bad.
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Step 2
Smile at somebody, tell a funny joke to a coworker, or think about something silly and laugh out loud. Smiling and laughing releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel happier and more positive, which will go a long way to turning around your bad day.
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Step 3
Solve a problem or accomplish a task. If you are having a bad day at work and feeling overwhelmed, choose one thing waiting to be completed and follow it through to completion. It's best to start with something smaller that you can actually finish that day. Once you have done this, you will feel as though you have a better grip on things and your day won't seem as bad.
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Step 4
Listen to some music. Whether the songs are uplifting and cheerful or melancholy and bluesy is up to you. Some bad days are turned around by hearing something that makes you tap your feet or whistle along, while other bad days simply require a sad song to help you feel as though someone out there understands your trials.
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Step 5
Find something to look forward to. Take a break and plan your next vacation, a fun weekend activity, or even just a delicious meal that you will make for dinner. Not only will the positive thoughts lift your mood, but looking forward to something helps you remember that this day, too, shall pass.
