Life's funny sometimes. Like some of the world's most thrilled-packed roller coasters, life can take you on a ride filled with twists, turns, drops, and sudden stops. A good day can turn bad at the drop of a hat, leaving us feeling like we have no control over our situations, but just as easily the clouds can part and the right path forward can become clear as day. 
How we choose to take life's ups and downs can have a major impact not only on our outlook of our daily lives, but our overall physical and mental health as well. With that in mind, here are 9 tips for helping you stay optimistic whenever you find yourself having a bad day, adapted from a recent Reader's Digest article.
Take a moment to appreciate what you have
If you're finding yourself focusing too much on the things you don't have, take a moment to appreciate some of the things you do have in your life that bring you joy. Compose a list of the top 5 things you have now that make you happy and come back to it whenever you're feeling down. You'd be surprised what a simple change in focus can do to make your day better.
Shift the focus off of yourself
Another great technique for boosting yourself out of a self-esteem rut is to shift the focus from yourself to another person. Find some things you can do for them to help improve their day just a little, and you'll find your mood improving as well.
Get some exercise in
Any kind of rigorous physical activity, such as exercise or playing a sport, has been proven to be an effective mood booster -- not to mention getting in shape is great for your physical health and keeping you in better control of your body.
Watch what you say
And we're not just talking about cutting out the curse words. Any sort of negative language can make an impact on your general attitude as well as those around you. Remember that your words are as important as your tone, so work to express yourself positively for more positive results.
Do something creative
Find a way to express yourself creatively and let your talents flow. Whether painting, writing, playing an instrument, or even the way you decorate your home or workspace can be great opportunities to think outside the box and feel much more optimistic about your day.