Have you ever had a tough day, and a friend says to you, "Put a smile on your face." Your friend means well, but geez, isn't it okay just to feel down sometimes?

Sure it's okay. As a matter of fact, it might even be good for you. That's because feelings like sadness, anxiety and anger send you important messages about yourself, and if you know how to crack their codes, they can show you the way to happiness again.

Read on to uncover the 3 questions to ask yourself when you're unhappy.

3 Questions To Unlock The Code To Your Feelings

1. Sadness. When you're sad or blue, ask yourself, "What have I lost?" It might be something tangible like an heirloom ring, but more likely it's something meaningful like an opportunity, security or a connection. For example, if financial woes have drained your 401K and your chance to buy that country home, you've lost your dream. Can you create a new dream?

2. Anxiety. When you're nervous or worried, ask yourself, "What am I afraid of?" We often fear things like: rejection, humiliation, or being vulnerable. For example, if you just got divorced, underneath your worries, you might be afraid you don't have the strength to be a single parent. How can you get that strength?

3. Anger. When you're angry, mad or frustrated, ask yourself, "How have I been attacked?" I'm not talking about a physical attack--it's really a blow to your integrity, beliefs and values. For example, if you're mad because your teen never cleans his room, your belief that bedrooms should be neat has been attacked. Is a compromise possible?

Don't waste the opportunity to learn from your tough feelings. With these three questions in your toolkit, you'll be ready to feel better again--if you want.