Do you sometimes feel like you can't cope with all the issues in your life? Do you typically feel low when things don't seem to be going your way? If so, it doesn't have to be this way! You can break through those negative feelings and thoughts.

Try these tips to strengthen your emotional wellness and bring more peace to your life:

1. Know the signs of depression. You don't need to be worried about your mental health to do some research and be able to recognize the signs of possible depression. In all likelihood, you're simply battling some low points. If your symptoms do point toward depression, take action to seek help. Some things to consider:

• What do statistics say about people with depression?
• What are the major factors contributing to depression?
• Do you have traits that make you prone to anxiety or depression?
• How can you tell if you're spiraling downward?
  
  

2. Have a strong support base. A huge part of achieving and maintaining mental wellness is having a network of family and friends. Life's challenges can really take a toll on you, but you'll be better able to cope and overcome if you have supportive people around you.
   
   

• Spend a lot of quality time with family members and friends doing things you all enjoy.
• Instead of internalizing unpleasant feelings or thoughts, talk with your support network about them.

3. Stay positive. Working to maintain a positive outlook is significant in helping you to achieve and sustain mental wellness. Being optimistic isn't an overnight accomplishment if you're accustomed to feeling down in the dumps. But little by little, you'll be able to build the emotional strength to stay positive much of the time.
   
   

• Talk to people around you who have been able to turn negative occurrences into positive learning experiences.
• Connect with your spiritual side and find your strengths.
• Spend some time each day meditating and re-centering. This will help you create mental stability and resilience.
  
  

4. Keep an active mind. When your mind is active, there's very little room to entertain negative, depressing thoughts. An active mind that's engrossed with healthy thoughts and processes will likely stay well, even in some of life's toughest times.
   
   

• Get involved with a charitable organization and focus your energies on giving hope and help to the less fortunate.
• Take up a sport or hobby that engages you both mentally and physically. The sense of achievement as you learn and perfect the activity will help you to develop mental wellness.

With the myriad of concerns that can present themselves in our fast-paced lives, mental and emotional balance isn't always easy to achieve. However, with positive effort and focus, you can cultivate resilience.

The steps above are just a beginning. As you go forth on your journey toward happiness and wholeness, you'll find even more techniques that work for you. Embrace your challenges as opportunities to grow, and you'll be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams.