What is mental wellbeing?
Positive mental wellbeing can be thought of as 'feeling good and functioning well'. Mental wellbeing influences, and is influenced by, how we think, feel, and act.
Many things influence our mental wellbeing, from our experiences (past and present), to how we feel about ourselves and our relationships with others. Other things like how affordable basic goods are, the quality of our environment, and levels of trust in communities.
Why is mental wellbeing important?
Looking after our mental wellbeing is as important as looking after our physical health. Our physical health can affect our mental wellbeing, if we feel unwell, we might feel mentally low, but mental wellbeing also affects our physical health.
Taking time to look after our mental wellbeing, even when we’re feeling good, makes us better able to respond to and recover from more challenging times.
What can I do to improve my mental wellbeing?
Show gratitude
Gratitude is not just a feeling but an action you can practice. Try identifying something you’re grateful for 3-4 times a week. It might be noticing the sunshine through a raindrop, a smile from a stranger, or a phone call with a friend. Keep notes in a diary that you can reflect on when you need a boost.
Connect with other people
Connecting with others helps us to feel good. Don’t be afraid to ask for or offer to help others. It might feel strange to offer help to someone when you’re feeling low, but doing acts of kindness can boost our positive feelings and sense of connection to other people.
Connect with nature
Being outdoors can boost our mental wellbeing and give us a sense of perspective. Time spent in green spaces or close to water can help to calm busy minds. Let yourself be distracted by nature; notice the sights and the sounds. It doesn’t have to be a long country walk to get the benefits; planting a flowerpot, putting up an insect house, or noticing the signs of changing seasons can all be helpful.
Get creative
Being creative is good for our mental wellbeing. You could try many things: listen to music, take some photos, or write a poem. Try to give it your full attention. This will help you have a break from day-to-day worries.
What matters to you
Different things matter to different people. Think about what matters for your own mental wellbeing?
Find out more
Ways to feel happier: Happier Kinder Together | Action for Happiness
Influences on our mental wellbeing: Promoting individual and community wellbeing - Public Health Wales
