If you have good mental wellbeing you are able to:

• feel relatively confident in yourself and have positive self-esteem
• feel and express a range of emotions
• build and maintain good relationships with others
• feel engaged with the world around you
• live and work productively
• cope with the stresses of daily life
• adapt and manage in times of change and uncertainty

This page covers some ideas to stay mentally well and develop your ability to cope with the up and downs of life:

• Think about what is affecting your wellbeing
• Build positive relationships
• Take time for yourself
• Look after your mental health
• Look after your physical health
• Ask for help if you need it

We're all different. What affects someone's mental wellbeing won't necessarily affect others in the same way.

But we all have times when we have low mental wellbeing, where we feel stressed, upset or find it difficult to cope.

Common life events that can affect your mental wellbeing include:

• loss or bereavement
• loneliness
• relationship problems
• issues at work
• worry about money

Other times there is no clear reason for why we feel the way we do - which can be frustrating.

There are some factors that may make you more vulnerable to experiencing a period of poor mental wellbeing. These may have happened in the past or might still be happening now:

• childhood abuse, trauma, violence or neglect
• social isolation or discrimination
• homelessness or poor housing
• a long-term physical health condition
• social disadvantage, poverty or debt
• unemployment
• caring for a family member or friend
• significant trauma as an adult, such as military combat, being involved in a serious accident or violent crime

No matter the reason, it can be helpful to remember that you deserve to feel good and there are steps you can take to improve and maintain your mental wellbeing.

Connecting with others can help us to feel a greater sense of belonging and can help to challenge feelings of loneliness.

• Make time for the people you love. Keeping regular contact with friends and family, whether it's face-to-face, on the phone or by text, can strengthen your relationships.
• Join a group. Think of the things you like to do, such as drawing, gardening or sport and look for local groups. Meeting others with a shared interest can increase your confidence and build your support network.
• Talk about the way you feel. Opening up to a trusted friend or family member can help you to feel listened to and supported. Just acknowledging your feelings by saying them out loud can help.
• Use peer support. If you're finding things difficult, talking to people who have similar feelings or experiences can help you to feel accepted. This could be online, such as Mind’s Elefriends community, or at a peer support group.
• Volunteer at a local school or hospice. Giving your time to those that need it can be extremely fulfilling and can help you to look at things from a different perspective. See the Do It or website for volunteering opportunities in the UK.