We all have difficult days every now and then – you know the kind where you wished you had stayed in the sanctuary of your warm, cosy bed?

The trick is to see it for what it is – a bad day.

Not a bad life…nor a bad person. Just ‘one of those days’.

Here are 5 quotes to help you put things into perspective and show you that you can be the master of your thoughts.

When we are stressed we don’t always make the best decisions. Poor judgement, knee jerk reactions and a short temper are all signs of raised stress levels. One thing you can do to help yourself is to pause and just breathe. You cannot make clear judgements and good decisions when you are stressed. Take 5 minutes to pause and  be calm. Not always easy I know, but if you can take just a couple of deep breaths, the calming effect on your nervous system is astonishing. We teach the kids at school to ‘smell the strawberry and blow out the candle’ – a deep breath in through your nose and a long exhale out through your mouth.

Look for the positives. Keep your spirit focused on the good things in your life. Be grateful for what you have and what you have achieved so far. Don’t get caught up in negative talk or thoughts. You need to talk kindly to yourself. And that includes what you think of yourself in this situation. Keep your thoughts in check. Tell yourself you can do this.

You’re probably wondering where this fits in – but I’m a firm believer in the power of a little fresh air and change of scenery. Give yourself a break. Literally. 10 minutes outside will help calm your thoughts and may give you the inspiration you were looking for.

Notice where you made a difference today. Focus not on what you didn’t do today but on what you did. I hear people say, “I haven’t done any work today!” When I know full well they have. You may have made a difference to someone’s day when you asked how they were, paid someone a compliment or tidied up the staff room. Cultivating a friendly workplace is just as important and meeting your deadline.

We are constantly striving for happiness. “I’ll be happy when…” is fast becoming our mantra. Every now and then we need to just be. Take time to relax and do something that makes your souls sing.

Choose one and let it sink deep into your soul and may your tomorrow be brighter.

Which quotes do you use in tough times to get you through?