Most people have had to endure difficult times in their lives, whether personally, professionally, or both. It's easy for people on the outside to simply say, "Get over it," but sometimes it's not that easy. It can be difficult to move past some of life's toughest challenges, and some circumstances can cause issues with your mental and physical health.

As tough as it can be, holding onto these negative emotions can also lead to excess stress, depression, and other serious health issues. Try to take a deep breath and prepare to rid yourself of this negative emotional baggage. Use these tips to help you overcome challenges:

Express your emotions: Don't bottle up your feelings, especially immediately after the event occurs. Everyone reacts differently, so if you need to scream, cry, eat, or curl up into the fetal position, give yourself time to do so. However, if after a few weeks you still feel this way, it's best to reach out to a professional for additional help.

Take care of yourself: Perhaps most importantly, make a point to take care of yourself and make sleep, exercise, and healthy eating a priority.

Accept and let go: Even if you think someone else is to blame for the situation, it's vital to accept what happened and move on. Forgive yourself and others, since feeling hatred can only exacerbate the situation. Learn from what happened and apply the lesson to your life.

Remind yourself to be grateful: In the midst of difficult times, you might not focus on what you should be thankful for. Perspective is powerful, so take the time to write down positive thoughts and gratitude. You can also reach out to family members or colleagues to help you refocus your energy.

Sources: ShamrockCompanies.net, Shape.com, Tinybuddha.com