Sometimes bad days turn into bad weeks which turn into bad semesters. The only way to get out of a bad mood is to break the cycle of negativity, which is easier said than done. The first step is to realize that you are in control of your mood and only you can change it. Here are some ways to help yourself out of a funk:

1. Turn on a comedy

After a long day, the worst thing to do is come back to your room and stew in your negative feelings. Instead, turn on the TV and watch an episode of your favorite comedy. Comedy shows are short, and they are perfect for background noise if you want to unwind and be productive.

2. Rant

Find your roommate, call a friend, or call your mom and vent. They can offer their perspective or just listen while you blow off steam. If you get it out of your system, then you won't run through the same argument in your head a hundred time over.

3. Listen to happy/epic music

How much more awesome would your life be if there was background music like in a movie? Pull up a film score station on Pandora and make simple things like cleaning and doing laundry feel like an epic quest to defeat You-Know-Who.

4. Move Around

Whether this is dancing in your room or hitting the gym, physical activity will force you out of your bad mood because you won't be able to sit around and wallow. There's also some physiological component involved that brightens your mood.

5. Stop your negative thoughts

This seems obvious, but it can be extremely hard. As soon as you have a negative thought, identify it and let it go. Don't hold onto it. Don't follow it down the rabbit hole. Or, if letting go isn't your thing (I'm definitely bad at it), identify the negative thought and replace it or twist it into a positive one. Twisting it, even with morbid humor, has worked a lot for me.

6. Hangout

Set all of your work aside, get together with friends, and distract yourself from the bad feelings. Being around and talking with other people will likely boost your mood.

7. Dive into your hobby

There's no better way to escape the world than to work on your hobby (whether it's painting, computers, design, music). At first you might still be upset, but as you concentrate more and more, everything else will fade away.

8. Practice self-care

When everything feels like it's falling apart, it can be easy to neglect yourself and give up. Don't do it. Even if you're short on time, take a shower, take a nap, or go to bed early. If you don't take care of yourself, then your day can't get better.

9. Believe that your day can improve

Without hope, it's easy to become bitter and wallow in pain and pity. If you believe that your day will get better, then you'll prove yourself right.