Your trusted nonprofit guide to mental health & wellness

★★★★★ HelpGuide is a top-rated nonprofit

Our mission is to provide empowering, evidence-based mental health content you can use to help yourself and your loved ones.

Donate Get In Touch

HelpGuide uses cookies to improve your experience and to analyze performance and traffic on our website. Privacy Policy

Accept
Cookie Policy

Well-being & Happiness

Line illustration of a cup of hot tea, steam rising above it, spoon beside it

Looking after your emotional well-being is just as important as caring for your physical health. By actively nurturing wellness, you’re better able to handle life’s challenges and bounce back when bad things happen.

Closeup of two young couples smiling to camera, men in front, women behind them, centered, forest background

Cultivating Happiness

Five tips to get more satisfaction and joy out of life

Illustration of mechanical gears in head

Building Better Mental Health

Six strategies to boost your mood and build resilience

Elderly woman on playground swing, mouth agape in delight as husband gleefully guides swing from behind

The Benefits of Play for Adults

How play boosts creativity, learning, and mood

Young family playing with dog

How Dogs Boost the Mental Health of Children, Adults, and the Elderly

The effects of dogs on mental health

Young man teaching, with schoolgirl at front of class standing and smiling, other schoolchildren sitting on floor looking on

Volunteering and its Benefits

How giving to others makes you healthier and happier

Grandparents with granddaughter, grandmother holding her as grandfather looks on, all smiling

Laughter is the Best Medicine

The health benefits of humor and laughter

Young professional woman connecting with client in conversation

Improving Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

Boost your emotional intelligence to help you be happy and successful

Woman exercising on yoga mat

The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise

The exercise prescription for depression, anxiety, and stress

Fingers holding heart emblem, silhouetted in dappled sunlight

Loving Kindness Meditation

Release anger, feel more connected, grow compassion for yourself and others

Closeup of mobile phone cradled in womans hands, her thumbs in the texting-ready position above the phone's illuminated display

Social Media and Mental Health

Changing your habits to avoid anxiety, depression, isolation, and FOMO

Man reclined on sofa, reacting with gleeful surprise as small dog, on his chest licks his chin

The Health and Mood-Boosting Benefits of Pets

How caring for a pet can bring powerful mental health benefits

Woman in the city with a scarf looking at the sky

Finding Joy During Difficult Times

Daily practices to lift your spirits


Woman in the city praying

Prayers for Coping with Life’s Challenges

Find strength, healing, and support


Man with outstretched hands against a sunset sky

Gratitude: The Benefits and How to Practice It

Reaping the mood-boosting effects