Improving your mental wellbeing

Mental wellbeing doesn't have one set meaning. We might use it to talk about how we feel, how well we're coping with daily life or what feels possible at the moment.

Mental wellbeing is not simply the absence of mental ill health or that there are no problems or challenges in someone’s life. Mental wellbeing is the way in which we respond to those problems and challenges and the knowledge that we will be able to handle the problems. By overcoming difficulties, we are able to make our mental wellbeing stronger and thrive in the various environments of our life – relationships, school, work, leisure and health.

There are many things you can do to improve your mental wellbeing, such as finding ways to relax and reduce stress and taking time to do an activity which you enjoy on a regular basis.

You might try breathing exercises like square breathing (imagine a square box in front of you). Breathe in to the count of four as you imagine your eyeline working across the top edge of the box, breathe out to the count of four as you imagine your eyeline moving down the right hand side of the box, do the same for the bottom and left hand side of the imaginary box. Complete this activity until you can feel your body calming down and becoming more relaxed.

South Gloucestershire Council’s One You website has a range of ideas to help you to improve your mental wellbeing together with links to related information and details on how to join a mental health webinar course. The One You page also has details of who to contact for mental health support, for any level of support required.