Welcome to the Moodzone
"Why do I feel so down?" "How can I feel happier?" "Can I control my
Whatever you need to know about boosting your mood, coping with stress, anxiety or depression or simply improving your overall emotional wellbeing, the NHS Choices Moodzone is here to help. It offers practical, useful information, interactive tools and videos to support you on your way to feeling better.
Before you get started
If you've had thoughts of self-harming or are feeling suicidal, contact someone immediately such as your GP, a friend, a relative or someone you can trust. If you have already taken an overdose or cut yourself badly, dial 999.
The Moodzone covers "sub-clinical" mood-related content. This means it deals with feelings, mood and common life problems that are not clinical diagnoses. You might be trying to find help because you’ve been feeling down for a few days, or you’re having a stressful time at work which is causing you to feel worried and anxious. The best way to work out where to go next is to take the mood assessment quiz.
If you want to talk to someone right away, the mental health helpline page has a list of organisations you can call for immediate assistance. These are helplines with specially trained volunteers who'll listen to you, understand what you're going through and help you through the immediate crisis. The Samaritans operates a service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for people who want to talk in confidence. Call 08457 90 90 90.
If you’ve been feeling depressed for more than a few weeks, or your anxiety is becoming obstructive in your daily life, make an appointment to speak to your GP.
Finding your way around
The big blue tabs at the top of the page list the contents of each Moodzone section. Just hover your cursor over each tab and select the page you want from the drop-down menu.
If you can't find what you're after in the Moodzone, try the Search box at the top of the page – it covers everything on the wider NHS Choices site, including clinical information on conditions and treatments, advice on how to have a healthier lifestyle and information for people who are looking after someone else.
Be sure to check out the useful links and tools promoted on the right-hand side, as you may find these helpful.
The Moodzone is divided into three sections:
Common problems
This section explains what low mood and depression, stress, anger, anxiety and panic are and points you towards more information on getting help and things you can do, for yourself and for others.
What you can do now
Feel ready to make a change? You can begin improving your mood right away. This section contains "quick-fix tips" and how-to guides to get you started, including the steps you can take to achieve better mental wellbeing and information about available treatments.
Real stories
If you’re feeling sad, angry or stressed, remember you’re not alone. Read the real-life stories from others who have experienced a range of emotional conditions. Find out how they got help and are now coping with these common emotional problems.
Would you like to take part in a study?
If anxiety or low mood are affecting you (or someone you know), and you have an iPhone, you may be interested in taking part in the Mood Mate study. The study is a research project at the University of Reading, and aims to find out whether giving people a tool to monitor their mood can help them find local treatments.