Life’s challenges can affect our relationships. Difficult emotions build up sometimes and we get irritable, snappy, stressed or withdrawn.

Too much stress can affect our relationships, including the one we have with ourselves.

Creating and maintaining healthy relationships can be a huge benefit to our mental wellbeing.

Here are three little things you can do to make sure you’re taking care of yourself in your relationships.

Set boundaries – Think about what you feel able to help with. Try to stick with this – whether it’s listening or offering practical help like doing the shopping.

Take time for ​​yourself – Find time to do something just for yourself. Try to focus on your own hobbies and interests.

Talk to someone you trust – Finding someone outside the relationship that you trust enough to confide in can really help.

Other tips to help manage relationship stresses that Better Health suggest are as follows:

Dealing with conflict – Disagreements are normal, but it can affect your mental wellbeing if an argument is not resolved.

If it’s difficult to talk through an issue calmly, take time out and talk again when everyone involved is feeling calmer.

Leaving an​ ​​unhealthy ​relationship – It’s​ ​OK to leave a relationship that does not feel right, or is having a negative impact on your​ mental health and wellbeing.

There are organisations that offer advice and support on dealing with the practical and financial issues of a break-up or separation, such as Citizen’s Advice Bureau, if you need it. If you are experiencing any kind of abuse in a relationship, there is support if you need help.

LGBTQIA+ relationships – If you are part of the LGBTQIA+ community you may feel this affects the type of relationship challenges you experience, whether that’s your relationship with yourself or with somebody else.

LGBT HERO has plenty of help, advice and further support for common relationship challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community.

NHS talking therapies can help if you’ve not been feeling yourself lately and are finding it hard to cope. Your GP can refer you or you can self-refer.

If you are in Birmingham call 0121 301 2525 or visit birminghamhealthyminds.org

For other areas visit nhs.uk/talk